GOP Tax Cuts Help Low Income Areas Across the Country

Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted by Congressional Republicans and President Trump, new businesses are opening in Opportunity Zones created by the law, bringing new jobs and services to economically distressed areas.

The Opportunity Zone provision provides capital gains tax relief for long term investments in low income communities.

Listed below are examples of Opportunity Zones good news. (If you know of any additions to this list, please send to jkartch@atr.org)

2nd South Market (Twin Falls, Idaho) -- A food hall is opening because of the TCJA Opportunity Zone program, and is slated to create new jobs:

One of the nation’s fastest-growing trends, food halls, is coming to Twin Falls. 2nd South Market, slated to open this summer, will be housed in the historic 1926 downtown Twin Falls building formerly occupied by the Salvation Army. 2ndSouth Market will be the first Opportunity Zone project to open in Idaho and the state’s third Opportunity Zone investment.

Opportunity Zones were established in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage long-term investment in low-income communities through tax breaks.

Kelsar Property owners Dave and Lisa Buddecke are gutting and remodeling the 94-year-old building to expose original wood ceilings/trusses, windows and doors. At Second Avenue South and Hansen Street, the 13,000-square-foot indoor area will house several food vendors in a large open space concept. The 14,700-square-foot outdoor fenced space will be open during summer and fall for additional outdoor seating, private events, open-air markets and corn hole games. A stage is planned for live music and other amenities. -- February 27, 2020 Twin Falls Times-News article

Agatha (Johnson City, Tennessee) -- An Apple app's office is moving to the city, and will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

According to the Mastered in Tennessee website, there are currently four Opportunity Zone projects in the Tri-Cities area. The projects, business type, and value are:

...

Agatha – Johnson City – $200,000. The firm’s Twitter tag describes it as a who-done-it game where you walk (run, etc.) in real life to make progress in the game. --November 22, 2019 DonFenley.Com article

American Life Building (Birmingham, Alabama) – The TCJA's Opportunity Zone legislation is paving the way for an empty building to be converted into housing units, some of which will be reserved for those who are unemployed or underemployed:

“A Birmingham opportunity zone project is the $24 million conversion of the 84,000-square-foot Stonewall Building, almost 40 years vacant, into the American Life Building, with 140 one and two-bedroom flats and loft-style apartments. In addition, five of the development’s units will be reserved for rental to clients of The Dannon Project, a local nonprofit that provides workforce development and other services for underemployed and unemployed residents. It is slated for completion next year.” – September 15th, 2019, Alabama (AL.com)

Amtrak (Baltimore, Virginia) -- Amtrak is investing in a redevelopment of Baltimore's Penn Station located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Amtrak officials said Thursday they consider the redevelopment of Baltimore's Penn Station to be "critical" and will continue to move forward on the project even as the railroad company suffers a major financial hit due to Covid-19.

Chairman Anthony Coscia said during a teleconference that Amtrak will likely lose $700 million in adjusted operating earnings due to the pandemic, and it's possible the losses could be greater. Ridership has fallen 95% and Amtrak has temporarily suspended several of its routes while modifying others to deal with reduced demand. Prior to the onset of pandemic, Amtrak had been on track to break even for the first time ever.

Despite the grim outlook, Amtrak executive Stephen Gardner said the government-owned company will continue to move ahead on the long-planned redevelopment of Baltimore's historic train station even as it makes adjustments and reduces expenses.

"There are a core set of essential projects across really all the different dimensions of the company...that are really critical to our long-term strategy and success," said Gardner, chief operating and commercial officer. "We continue to advance those as we can through the environment. Baltimore is one of those."

Gardner said people should expect delays because of supply chain issues, workforce availability and other challenges companies across the U.S. are facing. He also said Amtrak will defer capital improvements that it deems "are not right now critical."

"We remain committed to our big strategic objectives and our important projects," Gardner said. "Baltimore Penn Station redevelopment is a critical one, along with several other station projects that we continue to advance."

The redevelopment of historic Penn Station has been in the works for years. Penn Station Partners, a master development team selected by Amtrak to manage the project, plan to convert the site into a hub in the Station North and Mount Vernon communities. Penn Station is the eighth busiest station in the Amtrak system.

Other plans by Penn Station Partners include developing a residential tower on what today is a flat-surface parking lot at Lanvale and Charles streets, as well as new development on parcels owned by Amtrak near the station. The additions will hold retail, residential and office space.

Bill Struever, CEO of Cross Street Partners, which is part of the development team, said in March the project remained ongoing.

Last year Amtrak announced plans to invest $50 million in improvements to the historic station as part of an overall $90 million investment.

The project was awarded a $3 million Maryland Historic Revitalization Tax Credit from the Maryland Historical Trust and Gov. Larry Hogan has also authorized workforce training and job creation tax credits and property tax breaks as incentives for opportunity zone investment.

Blueprint Local, a fund based at Brown Advisory in Fells Point, announced in February it would provide an undisclosed amount of private capital through opportunity zone funding for the project. -- April 23, 2020 Baltimore Business Journal article

Americus OST LLC (Houston, Texas) -- The company is building a medical campus in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Former Houston Rockets player Hakeem Olajuwon and local real estate investor John Ballis have sold a 4.64-acre site near the Texas Medical Center to a local developer, according to a press release from Houston-based Transwestern.

Transwestern Commercial Services has been hired to advise the new owner on its plans to develop a mixed-use project at the site, 1990 Old Spanish Trail, per the release. TCS Vice President Robby Winston is providing advisory services for the new owner, an entity called Americus OST LLC. Houston developer Andrew Schatte is the principal of Americus OST.

John Ballis Jr. represented both the buyer and the seller in the land deal, which closed in March, according to Harris County records.

“The new owner is looking to create a mixed-use development that would complement the highly respected health care, educational and research institutions that are adjacent to the site,” Winston said in the release. “As one of the last undeveloped parcels in the Texas Medical Center, this site presents the unique opportunity to bring additional supportive capacity to this rapidly growing innovation district. Our property will enhance those larger master plans taking shape.”

Transwestern also is serving as development manager for the TMC3 project, which is scheduled to break ground by the end of the year and be complete in 2022. The Americus OST site is next to the 37-acre TMC3 site. The new TMC3 campus alone is expected to have a $5.2 billion impact on the city of Houston and create a projected 30,000 new jobs, the Houston Business Journal previously reported.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to work with the Texas Medical Center and member organizations in developing this property in keeping with the master plan of the TMC3,” Schatte said in the release.

The Americus OST site also is located in a designated Opportunity Zone, which makes it eligible for significantly reduced capital gains taxes if certain federal requirements are met. Click here to read HBJ’s cover story about Opportunity Zones. -- June 12, 2019 Houston Business Journal article

Atlas Real Estate Partners (Nashville, Tennessee) -- The real estate company is building a mixed-use space which will include apartments, retail, and office space, located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Details are emerging regarding a mixed-use project two local real estate investors and developers are planning for Wedgewood-Houston, with the three-building development to include 314 residential units and 25,000 square feet of retail and/or office space.

Documents submitted on behalf of Nathan Hysmith and Beau Fowler to Metro show two future buildings — one each located on either side of Merritt Avenue — as well as an updated existing structure are being proposed at the site. The existing building (see here) sits to the left of the structure home to Dozen Bakery and Zeitgeist Gallery and to the south of the building that accommodates Nashville Craft Distillery.

Fulmer Engineering, EOA Architects, Manuel Zeitlin Architects and S&ME (land surveying) are working on the project. No specific images and no groundbreaking have been released or announced to date.

The team will go before the Metro Planning Commission on May 28 to seek final specific plan rezoning approval, the document notes.

Hysmith and Fowler, teaming with New York-based Atlas Real Estate Partners, in June 2019 paid approximately $8.76 million for the property, which has addresses of 640 Merritt Ave., 714 Merritt Ave. and 520 Hagan St. That acquisition followed the pair's $4.5 million purchase a week prior of about two acres of property at 700 Hamilton Ave., which sits across railroad tracks from the property on which the mixed-use project is planned.

In addition, the ownership group owns a tiny 0.15-acre parcel located at the southwest corner of Hagan and Merritt and for which it paid $750,000 in August 2019, according to Metro records. That parcel is part of the aforementioned mixed-use project.

The various properties qualify for tax incentives via the federal opportunity zone program. Truck Center Inc., a used truck and truck parts dealer, operates at 518-520 Hagan. Kerr Brothers and Associates (a general contractor) had operated at the intersection of Hagan and Merritt but has since moved to nearby Chestnut Hill. -- April 16, 2020 Nashville Post article

Alpha Capital Partners (Columbus, Ohio) -- The company is building townhomes in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Alpha wants to bring a new vibe to this established community. Built in 1960, the 376-unit rental community caters to mid-sized families and has a unit mix of two-bedroom and three-bedroom townhomes. The property is conveniently located next to the Rickenbacker International Airport at the intersection of Alum Creek Drive and London Groveport Road Southeastern part of Columbus, Ohio.

Alpha plans to rebrand Hamilton Creek and spend $9 million in upgrades on the Columbus property. The first phase of redevelopment for Hamilton Creek will commence in the fall and includes exterior renovations and interior updates. The redevelopment project will be managed by Alpha's in-house construction services team and is slated to be completed by 2021. "We are excited about what Alpha is going to do and how we plan to add value for Hamilton Creek's current and future residents. Our redevelopment efforts will give this former military housing the necessary boost it needs to beautify the neighborhood and attract new residents," said CEO, Jide Famuagun.

While this property is in an opportunity zone area, its location was equally an attraction for Alpha Capital Partners. The property is approximately 14 miles from downtown Columbus and is four miles from the outer loop of I-270. Famuagun stated, "What also drew our attention to this property was the massive industrial distribution centers and the boom in employment these facilities brought." -- September 6, 2019 Alpha Capital Partners press release

Baker Hotel and Spa (Weatherford, Texas) -- The hotel's designation in an Opportunity Zone helped spur a renovation project at the hotel:

If you were among those who thought renovation of the long-closed, deteriorating and often vandalized Baker Hotel would never happen - one of the project's development leaders was admittedly right there with you at times.

"Hell, I was a naysayer for a period of time," Laird Fairchild told the Mineral Wells Index in a special interview Tuesday inside the lobby of the hotel that by early Thursday afternoon should be in the hands of Baker Hotel Holdings LP.

...

"The resurrection of The Baker would not be possible without the overwhelming support of the citizens of Mineral Wells," said Patton, also in a press release. "From the start, they have been very vocal in their belief that this project would be a cornerstone in the redevelopment of downtown. The City government worked tirelessly with our team to put in place a public-private partnership that made sense for everyone. We also must thank Governor Abbott for designating this project and a majority of downtown Mineral Wells as an Opportunity Zone. That designation was the linchpin that helped pull all this together and make this long-term investment possible. This project is a substantial commitment that greatly enhances the renaissance of this wonderful city." -- June 20, 2019 The Weatherford Democrat article

Benson Hill Biosystems (St. Louis, Missouri) -- The company is expanding and moving headquarters in order to be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Throughout the region, developers with projects in eligible areas, known as Opportunity Zones, are using the new tax break provision to raise more money. At the same time, those developers say, the program is helping attract new investors to St. Louis.

Blue Ocean (Baltimore, Maryland) -- The developer is building an apartment complex located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Maryland-based developer Blue Ocean has announced its acquisition of The Middle River Depot, located in Eastern Baltimore County, Maryland. Middle River Depot is the largest industrial building in the state of Maryland, and is an expansive and historically significant property.

CBRE's Mid Atlantic Institutional Group oversaw the sale of the 2-million-square-foot project to Blue Ocean. "Although there continues to be massive amounts of national, institutional capital flowing into industrial investments in the Mid-Atlantic region, this opportunity was acquired by a local investor who understands the strategic nature of the location, and who will work closely with the community to create value," said Executive Vice President Bo Cashman of CBRE.

At nearly 2 million square feet, the facility is slated to become one of the largest Real Estate Opportunity Zone developments in the Mid-Atlantic and is expected to spur economic development and create thousands of jobs. A MARC train station is located within a couple hundred yards of the property, creating a transit-oriented and sustainable commercial real estate development that is rare in Baltimore County. -- September 27, 2019 Blue Ocean press release

Brandywine Realty Trust (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) -- The company is building a mixed-use space in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Brandywine Realty Trust opened Drexel Square, a $14.3 million park that will serve as the cornerstone of Schuylkill Yards, an ambitious 6.9-million-square-foot mixed-use community under development at the front door of University City.

The 1.3-acre park is the first phase of Schuylkill Yards, which Brandywine is developing in partnership with Drexel University. Its completion sets the tone for what the developer is hoping to accomplish with the project.

“Schuylkill Yards is a large-scale development, but it’s really about changing the existing perception of University City and Philadelphia,” said Jerry Sweeney, CEO of Brandywine Realty Trust, in an interview with the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Drexel Square was built on a dingy surface parking lot that was the first impression of University City for the millions of people who use 30th Street Station each year; in that way, Drexel Square is an initial step to alter perceptions.

The 12,064-square-foot elevated space has 23 redwood trees, raised planter beds and pathways that represent the meridians of the globe, symbolizing the connections Schuylkill Yards aims to create while also serving as ways to navigate the park. The space, which can accommodate 500 people, was designed by West8 and Shop Architects.

“We wanted to create a durable wow effect,” Sweeney said. “We want people to walk out of the train station and say, ‘Wow!’ ”

John Fry, president of Drexel University, said few developers would take what amounts to an extremely valuable piece of property, one that could easily accommodate a 50-story building, and instead create a public space. “It says a lot about our collective vision,” he said.

With the park finished, next up for Schuylkill Yards is the $43.3 million completion of the redevelopment of the former Bulletin building. Spark Therapeutics will occupy office and lab space in that structure and will be fully moved in by the end of the year. The first floor will house 35,000 square feet of retail space and several tenants are under consideration, including a food hall.

The next two projects Brandywine will focus on involve securing anchor tenants to fill one-third of a proposed 800,000-square-foot office tower and constructing a building that will have 325 apartments and creative office space. That second tower could start as early as next year since demand for apartments remains strong, Sweeney said. Longer-range, Brandywine plans to build a 300,000- to 400,000-square-foot life science building. It has partnered with Longfellow Real Estate Partners of Boston on that project.

Schuylkill Yards sits in a Keystone Opportunity Zone as well as a Federal Opportunity Zone, giving tenants tax breaks and another enticement to move into one of its office buildings. While those benefits are attractive, Sweeney said one of the biggest lures is its proximity to 30th Street Station. -- June 11, 2019 Philadelphia Business Journal article

Block 216 (Portland, Oregon) -- A company is building an apartment building in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Developers of a mammoth downtown tower are betting their ultra-high-end building will fetch condo prices and hotel room rates unprecedented in Portland.

Block 216, a proposed 35-story structure at Southwest Ninth Avenue and Alder Street, will cost about $600 million to build, making it one of the most expensive single-building projects in the city's history.

...

Developers say the new building will bring a new level of luxury to Portland. Ironically, investors in the project will benefit from hefty tax breaks under a federal Opportunity Zone program intended to stimulate investment in poor neighborhoods. -- August 10, 2019 The Oregonian article

BTI Partners (Hollywood, Florida) -- The firm is building an apartment building that is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The 25-story Parc Place was originally approved for Hollywood-based MG3 Developer Group in October 2018. The 3.24-acre site is now under contract to Fort Lauderdale-based BTI Partners, led by veteran commercial developer Noah Breakstone.

The project would rise at 1727-1745 Van Buren St., 1700-1716 Harrison St., and 1740-1760 South Young Circle. It would replace the "Hollywood Bread" building, an 11-story structure that has been shuttered for years.

Carmel Partners Inc. (Los Angeles, California) -- The company is converting the building into an apartment complex with 1,210 residential units, located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

On the edge of West Adams, Cumulus is rising. Developer Carmel Partners Inc.'s project sits on 11 acres at the corner of Jefferson and La Cienega boulevards near the Expo Line.

Cumulus is slated to have a 31-story high-rise and a seven-story mid-rise building, with a combined 1,210 residential units.

The property is the former site of a Cumulus Media Inc. radio station.

"There's a nod to that history," said Dan Garibaldi, Carmel Partners' managing partner of development and construction, citing the project and buildings' names, as well as an on-site recording studio.

The 31-story ARQ tower, designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates Inc., is scheduled to start leasing this summer, with residents able to start moving in this September.

The seven-story VOX building, designed by TCA Architects, is expected to open in spring 2021.

Garibaldi said the location was a huge plus.

"It's at the crossroads of Culver City and West Adams. It's surrounded by the Hayden Tract and the Culver City Arts District. There's a lot of fast-growing tech, media and entertainment, but there's not a lot of housing there, and the Cumulus provides a lot of housing," he said.

Garibaldi said he anticipates that Cumulus will help create a greater sense of community in the area.

The amenity-rich project will have coworking spaces, a recording studio, spas and pools.

The development's 100,000 square feet of retail will be anchored by a Whole Foods store, which is expected to open in fall 2021.

Garibaldi said the project was "in the middle of the lease up process" and would be curating fast-casual to higher-end dining options, coffee shops, fitness centers and retailers.

Active West Adams

West Adams is home to a plethora of developments. CIM Group has filed plans for a large number of projects in the area, including a mixed-use site with 69 residential units and 6,000 square feet of retail at 5109 W. Adams Blvd.

CIM owns at least 40 sites in the area, said Jeff Gerlach, a vice president at CBRE Group Inc.

"They, over the last couple of years, have been buying up small sites here and there, and are now in the stages of building everything out," he said. "CIM really is controlling this whole project and this whole area. Their master plan and their vision is to create an Abbot Kinney- or a Highland Park-esque retail destination."

Gerlach added that there was high demand for office space in the area, too.

"The reason we're seeing this is largely because of the Westside office dynamic," he said. "There's very high rental rates and very limited amounts of space. West Adams has become this outlet for this demand for space and companies looking for space that's a little bit more affordable and still centrally located. It's on everybody's radar now. In the last 12 months, it's gone through some pretty significant changes."

Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. Vice President Christian Kasparian agreed.

"Between Culver City, the Westside and downtown L.A., prices in terms of office space, retail space, everything continues to go up. West Adams has been an affordable pocket for the time being. You have housing which is one of the more affordable locations within L.A., making this area very attractive to employers and employees," he said.

Public transit in the area is also attractive, market observers say, with the Expo Line and the upcoming Crenshaw Line.

"Developers are trying to take advantage of being a transit-oriented area and all the incentives," Kasparian said.

Part of the reason development is happening so quickly is that West Adams is in an opportunity zone. The zones aim to increase development in economically distressed areas by allowing investors to defer taxes on capital gains. -- March 23, 2020 Los Angeles Business Journal article

CapStone Holdings (St. Louis, Missouri) -- The company will be opening a food hall, theater, and offices in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A Florida investor announced Tuesday it had acquired a $40 million stake in Midtown’s City Foundry development, a $210 million renovation of the former Federal Mogul industrial site into a food hall, theater and offices.

The announcement from investor CapStone Holdings comes as the project, spearheaded by the Lawrence Group’s Steve Smith, approaches an anticipated summer opening after more than four years of planning and construction.

“St. Louis is ready for this unique kind of experience and we are extremely pleased to have CapStone as a key funding partner in assisting us realize our vision,” Smith, principal owner of City Foundry, said in a statement.

CapStone is headed by Keith J. Stone and focuses on investing in real estate and high-growth opportunity technology firms and financial tech startups.

“The significant buzz that is building among the business community, the excitement among residents and the national attention this and other projects are generating for St. Louis all confirm the factors leading to our partnership in City Foundry,” Stone said in a statement.

City Foundry, long an abandoned factory visible from Highway 40 (Interstate 64) is located in an Opportunity Zone, a designation created by the 2017 federal tax law that offers tax benefits to real estate investors. City Foundry was able to use the zone to raise capital for the project. St. Louis has also approved $19.4 million in tax increment financing assistance for the huge redevelopment. -- March 4, 2020 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article

Canyon Partners Real Estate LLC and Fore Property have formed a joint venture to develop 19 South, a 384-unit apartment community here. Canyon invested $29.8 million of equity into this project, which is located within a qualified opportunity zone. Construction is slated to begin in March 2020 and achieve completion by May 2022.

A spokesperson for Fore tells GlobeSt.com that 19 South is a 4-story, wood-framed development that is LEED-designed and will feature two resort-style courtyard pools, a modern arcade and gaming area, a 24-hour fitness center, an outdoor park area, as well as a fitness trail. --January 23, 2020 GlobeSt.Com article

Capital Square (Richmond, Virginia) -- The company invested in a 350-unit multifamily community:

"RICHMOND, VA - Capital Square, a leading sponsor of tax-advantaged real estate investments, announced the launch of CSRA/GS Opportunity Zone V, LLC. The project-specific opportunity zone fund is raising capital to develop 1601 Roseneath Road, a 350-unit multifamily community with ground-floor retail space, in the Scott's Addition designated opportunity zone in Richmond, Virginia. CSRA/GS Opportunity Zone V, LLC seeks to raise $32,396,000 in equity from accredited investors. "Capital Square is thrilled to enter this joint venture with Greystar Real Estate Partners to develop a Class A, mixed-use multifamily community in Scott's Addition," said Louis Rogers, founder and chief executive officer. "Greystar is the largest property manager in the nation as well as a top 10 builder and owner of apartment communities." -- March 4, 2020 MutltifamilyBiz article

Caliber (Phoenix, Arizona) -- The company is building a behavioral health clinic that will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Caliber-The Wealth Development Company has closed a deal as the property owner and developer of a 62,592-square-foot behavioral health clinic in downtown Phoenix. The 96-bed facility will be occupied by Dr. Cameron Gilbert and his company, Medical Behavioral Hospital of Phoenix LLC., and will care for patients struggling with medical and psychiatric conditions. Caliber purchased the facility, located near 14th Street and McDowell Road, for $10 million and will complete $9.5 million of renovations in the next year.

“This is a great example of how opportunity zones can truly make a positive impact on communities by enabling projects that are profitable, yet otherwise may not have attracted traditional funding,” said Chris Loeffler, CEO and co-founder of Caliber-The Wealth Development Company. “The clinic is expected to bring 80 high-income jobs into downtown Phoenix and, more importantly, serve a population in desperate need for advanced care.”

The clinic is the fourth investment to be included in the Caliber Tax Advantaged Opportunity Zone Fund, LP. and is one of the first healthcare opportunity zone properties across the country. Over the past year, Caliber has emerged as an industry-leading expert in opportunity zones and its Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund (QOF) has raised more than $40 million since its launch in Q4 2018. The fund is open to investment of short- and long-term capital gains, providing significant tax savings to investors, and is expected to reach its $500 million goal within two years. -- August 7, 2019 AZ Big Media article

Capital Square (Charleston, South Carolina) -- The real estate firm will be building an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

National real estate firm Capital Square has announced the launch of CSRA Opportunity Zone Fund IV. The project-specific opportunity zone fund is raising capital to develop 529 King Street, a 50-unit, luxury apartment hotel and retail property within a designated opportunity zone in Charleston’s historic King Street corridor.

The fund seeks to raise $7.7 million in equity from investors and has a minimum investment of $100,000. Plans for the development include a five-story structure with 50 apartment hotel units, 4,218 square feet of street-level retail space, a rooftop lounge open to the public and a fitness center, library and co-working space on each floor.

A stretch of economic development on the verge of breaking in Claiborne County could eventually create more than twice as many jobs than the counties current population.

In 2017 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress and signed by President Trump low income urban and rural areas could receive special attention for investors and businesses to develop and create jobs and get federal tax deductions. Now Claiborne County is next in line.

Out of 100 areas declared “opportunity zones”, Claiborne County is taking advantage to seek big changes.

“It’s taking natural gas and liquefying it to below -260 degrees Fahrenheit,” HESCO CEO Monte Burton stated. “Allowing it to be turned into a liquid state which allows it to be transported.”

Burton expects to have his company break ground on building the plant west of Alcorn State by January requiring up to 1,000 construction jobs alone. But many question if the community can handle that production.

..

Following HESCO the County Chamber expect more plants and companies to follow totaling 6400 acres of industrial space filled around the southwestern Claiborne County region estimating 30,000 new jobs when finished. -- August 16, 2019 WJTV Article

Catalyst Opportunity Funds has launched its first three investments. The projects are located in Salt Lake City and Bozeman, Montana, and represent a total investment of $28 million. The projects include Industry SLC and Pickle and Hide in Salt Lake City, which will transform outdated industrial properties into creative office and retail, and in Bozeman, Catalyst is investing in a 60-unit workforce-attainable apartment complex.

“We positioned the fund to be an impact investment fund that is focused on getting market-rate or even better than market-rate returns for investors while identifying opportunities where our investment can have an impact in the low-income communities where we are investing,” Jeremy Keele, managing partner at Catalyst, tells GlobeSt.com. “The thesis is to identify markets throughout the country that have historically been under invested and finding high-impact projects that are supported by the local community.”

All of the projects will work to revitalize blighted communities, ensuring the social impact component of the opportunity zone legislation is met. “The first three projects are all in the mountain west, and all three really focused on workforce affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization,” says Keele. “We are taking dilapidated, rundown, industrial neighborhoods and working with sponsors that know the neighborhoods well to create product that is geared toward bringing the neighborhood back to life through investment and infrastructure.” -- February 10, 2020 GlobeSt.Com article

One of Dallas’ first Opportunity Zone developments will be a new self-storage center west of downtown Dallas.

Central Southwest Texas Development LLC is building the project on Lone Star Drive near Interstate 30 in West Dallas. The 141,950-square-foot self-storage center will be on a 2.4-acre site that is in one of the more than a dozen federally designated Dallas Opportunity Zones that qualify for special tax breaks.

Clay Street Commons (Nashville, Tennessee) -- The group is building 60 apartments along with retail space, in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A trio of developers has paid $2.3 million for land in North Nashville, where they aim to build 60 apartments and some retail space.

The group, operating as Clay Street Commons LLC, now owns a pair of roughly 0.56-acre properties on opposite sides of Ninth Avenue North, according to new public records. The land is two blocks from Buchanan Street, home to Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria, which has become a landmark on what is one of the commercial gateways in the historically black neighborhood.

Steve Armistead, a principal in the development group, estimated the development would cost roughly $12 million. In an interview, he described two buildings that would mirror each other, on 1919 Ninth Ave. N. and 1928 Ninth Ave. N.

"We're looking to hit a price point that works with the local community and also services demand from the workforce in MetroCenter, downtown Nashville and elsewhere," Armistead said. "It brings a little density to that area, but it will be very thoughtfully done."

Others involved in the development include: Tim Morris, a principal at Academy Development Partners in the Washington, D.C., area, and Jared Bradley, who owns several Nashville companies, including The Bradley Development Group, The Bradley Projects and Certified Construction Services.

The same group is under construction on a 38-unit townhome development at 2400 21st Ave. S., named Linden Row. Unlike that project, the apartment development planned in North Nashville sits in an Opportunity Zone — which makes the developers eligible for unprecedented federal tax breaks in exchange for long-term investments in historically low-income areas.

The Opportunity Zone benefits have drawn a number of new developers into North Nashville. "This is my first time really making a full commitment to North Nashville," Armistead said.

He added that Opportunity Zone tax breaks didn't spark his group's interest. "That is not what's driving this, though it happens to be a part of it," he said. "This was really more driven by creating housing units that fall more toward the 'affordable' range. Opportunity Zones just happen to be a benefit years down the road." --November 6, 2019 Nashville Business Journal article

Clearday Inc. (San Antonio, Texas) -- The company acquired a medical building property, which they plan to renovate and reopen, which was made possible because of the Opportunity Zone program:

"Clearday, Inc., a leading innovator in longevity care and wellness services, has made the first Opportunity Zone (OZ) investment in San Antonio District 10. With the investment, totaling a minimum of $3.2 million, Clearday has acquired and is transforming the medical building property located at 8800 Village Drive, adjacent to the Northeast Baptist Hospital campus. Upon completion of the building renovation, Clearday will consolidate its corporate headquarters – as well as those of its Memory Care America subsidiary and other affiliate businesses – at the site." -- February 21, 2020 Business Wire article

Cobblestone Inn and Suites (Brookville, Indiana) -- The hotel opened up in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Brookville, IN—Thursday, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cobblestone Inn and Suites was held in Brookville on the future site, located at 9135 US 101.

Jenny Wilz, Major investor of Cobbles Stone Inn and Suites stated that the venture was all started when Tourism conducted a feasibility study for the community to see if Brookville and Franklin County could support the need for a hotel and then an opportunity zone grant became available. This is when Jenny Wilz along with her husband Mick, of Brookville, started to express their interest in investing in a hotel for the town.

Cobblestone came for a visit to Brookville in January of 2019 to look for sights. The final site was not on the original list of sites for the hotel, but it became the perfect option according to Wilz.

According to Brian Wogernese, President and CEO of Cobblestone Hotels, the Brookville location will be a 2 story, 45 room facility. The entrance will be in the center of that facility. Other amenities will include overflow parking for boats, a gift shop for forgotten items, and a bar with hot breakfast daily. Currently, the hotel is slated to open in early July of 2020. -- October 25, 2019 WRBI article

Columbia Ventures LLC (Jacksonville, Florida) -- The company is converting a warehouse into 200 affordable apartment units in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A $50 million plan to transform the Union Terminal Warehouse into 200 affordable apartment units is set to begin in June, assuming the city provides about $4.5 million in incentives, the project's lender told the Business Journal.

Atlanta-based Columbia Ventures LLC bought the 330,000-square-foot warehouse for $4.6 million in 2018, financing the purchase with a $4.5 million loan from the Local Initiative Support Corporation.

LISC Real Estate and Lending Officer Chuck Shealy told the Business Journal on March 12 that the developers planned a project costing around $50 million that would include 200 apartment units and 30,000 square feet of "commercial creative/maker space." Apartments would rent at affordable to workforce rates, tiers pegged to the area's median income.

LISC, which focuses on projects that produce affordable housing, often provides bridge loans and other flexible lending options to projects in the downtown area.

"A good portion of the building was occupied by artists, photographers, wood workers – craftsmen of those types," said Shealy. "They want to keep that element in the project."

Columbia's secured funding, which, among other items, includes money from LISC and the tax shelter benefits of an opportunity zone, is about $4.5 million short of the project's budget, Shealy said. The company plans to ask the city for that sum, he said.

The eight-acre parcel at 648 and 700 E. Union St. is just outside of downtown's northern boundary, so the request will be made to the Office of Economic Development, rather than the Downtown Investment Authority. That request has not yet been made. -- March 30, 2020 Jacksonville Business Journal article

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced Friday that the Departments Economic Development Administration is awarding a $1.7 million grant to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. on Saipan to assist with the construction of a new water filtration system. The EDA grant, to be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, will be matched with $431,604 in local funds and is expected to help create 370 jobs and generate $110 million in private investment.

The Trump administration is committed to helping U.S. territories recover and rebuild after natural disasters, said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. These critical infrastructure improvements will support Saipan's efforts in creating new jobs and spurring economic growth." -- February 18, 2020 Trade Arabia article

Community Builders Of Kansas City (Kansas City, Missouri) -- The company will build a multifamily development in Kansas City located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Community Builders of Kansas City will develop The Rochester on Blue Parkway, the first market-rate, multifamily development east of Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, in generations.

The 81,400-square-foot, $12.6 million project, one of the first announced in a Kansas City-area Opportunity Zone, will have 64 residential units across four stories.

“The Rochester brings a residential option to this corridor that does not now exist,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., president and chief executive officer of CBKC. -- April 1, 2020 RE Journals article

Connect Outdoors, Inc. (Johnson City, Tennessee) -- An outdoor technology and analytics business is moving to the city and will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

According to the Mastered in Tennessee website, there are currently four Opportunity Zone projects in the Tri-Cities area. The projects, business type, and value are:

...

Connect Outdoors, Inc. – Johnson City – $1 million. This operating business is in the outdoor recreation, technology, and analytics sector. The firm’s website announces itself and an online platform connection user to the outdoors by using data, technology and unique experiences. -- Nov. 22, 2019, DonFenly.Com Article.

Crane Development (Toledo, Ohio) -- The local real estate development company established Library Square Opportunity Fund to acquire and reposition four blighted and distressed three-story buildings in downtown Toledo:

The buildings will be transformed into a vibrant mixed-use corridor with ten residential units and four new commercial spaces. The $1.75MM OZ project has attracted $500,000 of equity from accredited investors and provides the added benefit of Ohio's Opportunity Zone Income Tax Credit which gives investors a 10% return during the construction period. The project was awarded US-EPA assessment grant funds and will utilize facade grants through a City of Toledo program funded by CDBG. Library Square will also apply for a CRA tax abatement which will protect the buildings from property tax increases resulting from the improvements for the next twelve years. Renovations have commenced and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. Many Toledo neighborhoods, including downtown, have experienced decline resulting from disinvestment over the last twenty years, leading to a poverty rate almost twice the national average. The Opportunity Zone program incentives have driven investment into the City of Toledo and will make a tangible impact on job growth and the revitalization of downtown. -- May 20, 2020, Crane Development statement

Crown Royal Developers (Van Nuys, California) -- The developer is building an apartment complex for extremely low-income residents located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Local firm Crown Royal Developers has filed plans for a 71-unit apartment complex in Van Nuys, with eight units set aside for extremely low-income residents.

The Beverly Hills-based company wants to build the 78-foot complex at 14518-14526 Erwin Street, just west of Van Nuys Boulevard, according to plans filed with the Los Angeles City Planning Department. The site is located in a federal Opportunity Zone, which provides tax incentives for long-term investors who pour money into projects in distressed areas. The Treasury Department just opened an investigation into the program, following media stories that raised questions about who was benefiting from the program.

Crown filed its plans with Santa Monica-based architecture firm Minarc through an LLC. The signatory is Asaf Glazer, president of Crown Royal Developers.

Van Nuys has seen some activity in the affordable housing arena lately. In September, prolific affordable housing developer Skid Row Housing Trust announced plans to expand into Van Nuys, with a 64-unit apartment building for low-income or very low-income tenants.

California and L.A. in particular continue to grapple with the lack of affordable housing. Gov. Gavin Newson recently threatened to withhold state transportation funds from municipalities if they fail to meet new housing production targets. --January 16, 2020 The Real Deal article

Custom Container Solutions (Milton, Pennsylvania) -- The steel container company moved to central Pennsylvania and is creating 100 new jobs in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

MILTON, Pa. -- The state has designated an old industrial site in central Pennsylvania as a Keystone Opportunity Zone and now nearly 100 jobs are coming to an old factory that had been shut down.

The plant in Northumberland County has been vacant and collecting dust for the past decade, but starting next year, it will help create almost 100 jobs in central Pennsylvania.

The old manufacturing plant in Milton Industrial Park will be up and running next year. The building has sat vacant since 2008 but will soon be home to Custom Container Solutions, a company that makes steel containers.

"It checks almost every box in our wish list, and so now our team is excited to have closed on the property, and we are moving forward with fitting out the equipment and starting to hire people," said Todd Vonderheid of Custom Container Solutions. -- October 21, 2019 ABC 16 article

Dora Hospitality Group (Indianapolis, Indiana) -- The company is bringing a new hotel that will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The new owner of the iconic King Cole building at 1 N. Meridian St. plans to turn the 104-year-old edifice into a hotel, following the lead of several other downtown building owners.

On the heels of the King Cole news came an announcement from Fishers-based Dora Hospitality Group that it's teaming up with the owner of Shapiro's Delicatessen to build a 118room, six-story Intercontinental-branded hotel on the south side of downtown at Meridian and Sycamore streets.

Details about the King Cole project are scarce, but plans filed with the city describe the project as "King Cole building hotel," and a renovation permit issued by the city notes interior demolition.

The building owner is Indy Propeo LLC, which bought the building in January from West Coast Properties LLC for $3.9 million.

Several tenants of the 11-story, 1915 building told IBJ they have either already moved out or have been asked to vacate by the building's owner.

The building owner's address is the same as the Chicago address for The Gettys Group, a hospitality-industry developer that works with more than a dozen hotel brands, including Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt, Radisson and Holiday Inn.

The Gettys Group declined to comment about the King Cole project.

The hotel to be built across from Shapiro's Delicatessen by Dora and Shapiro will mark the debut of InterContinental Hotels Group's Even Hotels brand in Indianapolis.

To be completed in fall 2020, the hotel is being built on land owned by the Shapiro family. The land is part of an Opportunity Zone established by the state, a designation that will provide tax breaks to the investors.

Developers say the hotel will offer a full gym, a glass enclosed media and meeting room, a piano, and wellness amenities. It also will have an open-air bar and what it calls an "unplugged area," where guests can play board games as well as eat and drink. -- August 30, 2019 Indianapolis Business Journal article

Echo's Brewery (Albuquerque, New Mexico) -- The bar known as Burt's Tiki Lounge is expanding and moving to an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The new facility will be known as Echo's, complete with a brewery, live music, and recording studio:

A popular old bar in downtown Albuquerque is being converted into a new brewery. What was originally Burt’s Tiki Lounge will now be known as Echo’s, a brewery with live music that doubles as a recording venue.

Owner Jake Ralphs said he wants future generations to see downtown the way he did.

“I would like to see the place improve,” he said. “I would like this to be something my kid could experience and have some pride in.”

The downtown corridor is constantly under development and is considered an opportunity zone for local businesses.

“I remember it as a kid coming here seeing lots of live music,” he said. “I cannot wait for this part of town to come back to its glory. I really think we can bring the right crowd down here and have fun.”

EJF Capital and Chance Partners (Jacksonville, Florida) -- Announced they are building a new housing community which will create a significant amount of construction jobs as well as property management positions:

EJF Capital LLC (“EJF”) and Chance Partners (“Chance”) today announced the development of a two-building, 486-unit multifamily housing community in the historic San Marco neighborhood of Jacksonville, FL. The project, known as San Marco Crossing (the “Project”), is being developed on nearly nine acres consisting of three parcels in an area certified as an “Opportunity Zone” under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”). The TCJA offers investors attractive tax benefits to invest into Opportunity Zones to create economic growth in lower income areas. The approximately $86 million project expects to break ground in Q3 2019 and plans to open in Q4 2020. Ameris Bank, with participation from Stifel Bank, is providing $51 million of construction financing.

“EJF continues to identify and execute on attractive Opportunity Zone investments across the U.S. and bring our financial resources and real estate operating expertise to communities that need it most,” said EJF Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Neal Wilson. “We are excited to partner with Chance Partners on San Marco Crossing, which will bring high-quality multifamily units to this growing area and create a significant number of construction jobs as well as permanent property management positions. We believe small businesses in San Marco will also benefit from the added economic vitality that results from the spending power of about 700 expected new residents.” -- June 28, 2019 Buisiness Wire

Enlightened (Washington, D.C.) – Moving locations in Washington D.C. as a direct result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which allows the company to be closer to their customers:

Hope is building at the corner of MLK Ave and Good Hope Road in Southeast.

Farmers Insurance of Salem (Wilmington, Delaware) -- An insurance company is moving their offices from New Jersey to Wilmington, Delaware to a location in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A New Jersey insurance company is moving its offices to Wilmington and with it more than 50 jobs.

Delaware's privately run economic development agency announced this week it had negotiated a $400,000-taxpayer grant package for Farmers of Salem. In a press release, it said the company plans to spend $5.6 million to purchase and renovate an existing office building in Wilmington's "central business district."

But the company's grant application, released Friday, states that Farmers of Salem's plans instead are to move to a building along the Wilmington Riverfront. Today, the 3-story brick building, located at 1 Avenue of the Arts, houses two companies, Mitchell Associates and Blue Rock Financial Group.

The once-industrial redeveloped structure sits along the banks of the Christina River next to the Riverfront Market. It has been for sale since at least 2018. Three months ago, its listed price was reduced by $300,000 to $4.5 million. It is unclear what Farmers of Salem's final negotiated price might be, as neither the company, nor its broker returned a call. The building's seller declined to comment. Also unclear is whether either of the building's existing tenants will move out following Farmers' purchase. Currently, 6,000 square feet on the third floor sits vacant.

Farmer of Salem's move into Wilmington likely will boost the city's commercial real estate market. While owners of office buildings in Delaware's largest city still struggle to fill large amounts of empty offices, momentum might be shifting. Farmers of Salem is the latest in a string of out-of-state buyers of commercial properties in a market that has long been dominated by a single owner, the Buccini/Pollin Group.

The insurance company told Delaware officials that it is seeking "a more vibrant and robust community." It said its decision to relocate to Wilmington came amid overall company growth and the taxpayer "incentives do help."

Other organizations that have recently considered relocating to Wilmington include Widener University's Delaware Law School. Its dean, Rodney Smolla, said the school ultimately decided against a move, yet plans to open a "satellite location" remain.

CSC, the state's largest and most politically influential registered agent company, recently purchased a building next to the Wilmington train station.

Based on its $120,000 real estate transfer tax payment, The News Journal estimates the sale price for the 112 S. French St. property at $4.8 million, or about $110 per square foot.

The number is significantly less than the asking price of $184 per square foot for the nearby 1 Avenue of the Arts building, which Farmers intends to buy.

Highlighted on a sale brochure for 1 Avenue of the Arts is that two floors of the building currently is leased as well as a proclamation that the property sits within a Delaware Opportunity Zone.

Gov. John Carney recently named much of downtown Wilmington and the Riverfront as Opportunity Zones. Investors who direct money to such "economically distressed" areas can avoid or delay paying federal taxes. Not included on the state's Opportunity Zone list are Wilmington's low-income neighborhoods of Hedgeville and Hilltop. -- February 1, 2020 Delaware News Journal article

Fairfield Inn and Suites (St. Louis, Missouri) -- The hotel is building a location in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Throughout the region, developers with projects in eligible areas, known as Opportunity Zones, are using the new tax break provision to raise more money. At the same time, those developers say, the program is helping attract new investors to St. Louis.

Fore Property (Kissimmee, Florida) -- The company is building a 384-unit apartment building that is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Fore Property secured a $49.6-million loan to develop 19 South, a 384-unit apartment community located in a qualified opportunity zone in Kissimmee, FL. BBVA provided the loan for the development of the project, which is a joint venture between Fore Property and Canyon Partners Real Estate LLC.

The LEED-designed, wood-framed development will consist of four, four-story residential buildings, featuring a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom floor plans. The residences will offer such contemporary features as chef-inspired gourmet kitchens, quartz countertops, energy-efficient stainless-steel appliances, walk-in closets, and hardwood-style flooring.

19 South offers convenient access to the Osceola Parkway, Florida Turnpike, and John Young Parkway, as well as downtown Kissimmee, Lake Nona Medical City, Walt Disney World Resort and Orlando International Airport. -- April 3, 2020 Connect Media article

Formativ (Denver, Colorado) -- The company is building a World Trade Center Denver office building in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The new World Trade Center Denver office building, a catalytic project going up in the city’s growing River North Art District, took a major step forward this week as the developer teams up with experienced national firms that own a portfolio of iconic buildings and high-end hotels, and those new partnerships close on the final parcels of land to officially start construction.

Denver-based Formativ, which co-developed the Industry office building in RiNo, told Denver Business Journal in an exclusive interview that it has named Chicago-based Golub & Co. as capital and co-development partner for the 350,000-square-foot office project. The partnership brings a firm to the table that manages some of Chicago’s most notable buildings, including Tribune Tower and the John Hancock Building. It also manages Facebook’s 750,000-square-foot office in San Francisco.

Sean Campbell, chief executive officer of Formativ, said his firm’s progressive approach to development and local knowledge of Denver paired with a company that takes a more traditional approach to the business will create a milestone project in RiNo.

“It’s definitely a nice match and we’re looking forward to working long-term with [Golub],” Campbell said.

In addition to the office building, World Trade Center Denver includes a 240,000-square-foot, 240-plus-room hotel and conference center. Formativ officials said Monday that it signed a partnership deal with Memphis, Tennessee-based Kemmons Wilson Companies — the 71-year-old firm that created the Holiday Inn brand and now operates a number of luxury properties around the globe — to co-own and develop that hospitality tower. Kemmons Wilson’s sister company, Valor Hospitality, will operate the hotel. A flag for the hotel hasn’t been determined at this point. Valor's portfolio includes Hotel Indigo in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York and Central Station, a Curio by Hilton property going up in Memphis' old train station that's being redeveloped, similar to Denver's Union Station.

The most notable change to the project since it was announced in 2016 is that the project is now located in a qualified opportunity zone, allowing investors and the development team to reap unprecedented tax benefits. -- June 26, 2019 Denver Business Journal article

Galena Opportunity Fund (Bremerton, Washington) -- The organization is funding an apartment complex to be built in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The Seattle developer behind an ambitious 22-story tower project in downtown Bremerton has filed permits with the city for a new mixed-use development at the same site on the corner of Washington Avenue and Sixth Street.

Mark Goldberg, the Seattle developer responsible for other projects in Bremerton – including the 400 condominiums up the street on Washington – is spearheading the new $33 million apartment complex on the site of the old Eagles building.

Plans call for a seven-story building with 110 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, two levels of parking with 78 spaces, and retail space on the ground floor. The two existing buildings on the block, which include the former home of the Bremerton Eagles and an eight-plex built in the 1940s, will be demolished.

In 2018, Goldberg's proposal for a 22-story tower with 224 apartments at the same location was met resistance from residents, who worried how a skyscraper would impact traffic and the neighborhood's character.

At the time, Mayor Greg Wheeler asked the city council to enact a moratorium on the city's eight-year multi-family tax exemption – which allows developers of projects of at least 10 units to pay no property taxes on the value of the building for eight years. The council ultimately didn't move approve the moratorium, and Goldberg is back with a scaled-down project.

Goldberg said he didn't move forward with the tower design because rising costs made it "borderline feasible" and because of feedback he'd received on the project.

"I got a lot of feedback from a lot of people and they just said it's really out of scale," Goldberg said.

For the new project, Goldberg is partnering with Galena Opportunity Fund, an Idaho-based real estate investment fund that looks to develop properties in "underfunded" areas in the Pacific Northwest.

Galena targets areas for development under the federal Opportunity Zone program, which allows people who invest in projects in "economically depressed" areas to defer or eliminate federal taxes on capital gains. Downtown Bremerton and parts of Port Orchard were designated as opportunity zones after the program was created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. -- October 27, 2019 Kitsap Sun article

Golf Technology (Buffalo, New York) -- The company announced they will be building a golf entertainment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

It's tee time on the riverfront in downtown Buffalo – on Noah's Ark.

The group planning a new entertainment complex on Ganson Street, not far from Buffalo RiverWorks, unveiled details Friday of the $30 million golf-focused project, which the developers – including OnCore Golf Technology CEO Keith Blakely and RiverWorks co-founder Doug Swift – hope will set a new standard for such facilities worldwide.

Designed to fit on a small urban space, officials said the new OnCore Buffalo facility is envisioned as a year-round sports and hospitality venue, aimed at golfers and others, of all ages and demographics.

The OnCore Buffalo project is the latest in a string of developments along Buffalo's waterfront, particularly along the once-polluted Buffalo River, where environmentalists and city officials have worked to both restore the natural habitat and make Ohio Street more attractive for investment.

Starting with RiverWorks on Ganson several years ago, followed by a pair of new apartment buildings on Ohio, and more recently the additional spinoff projects on neighboring streets, the area is rapidly becoming a destination for sports, recreation, entertainment and dining, alongside the growing residential presence.

“It's a natural next step for the trajectory that Buffalo is on, and for where the Buffalo River is going," Swift said. “These kinds of projects are going to keep coming. It's the wave of the future."

At a time of declining interest in golf nationally, the new venture is intended to lure new people to the sport, and is also geared to attract corporate meetings, private parties and other events. At $40 to rent a bay for one hour, for up to six people, it's also meant to be affordable.

It will feature a long driving range with 72 stacked hitting bays on a four-story structure, topped by a six-story hotel with at least 120 rooms, a sports bar and restaurant, and meeting space. The artificial turf range, with 11 bright-red target greens, will be enclosed by a giant wall of tensile fabric and polyester mesh netting across a lightweight steel frame to keep the balls inside, and to shield golfers from the elements. The building will be heated, but the range will not be completely covered.

The entire ship-shaped complex – a tribute to Buffalo's maritime history – will be supported on piers above a level of covered parking underneath, for 225 vehicles. Pedestrians in the parking area will be able to look up through the ceiling to see the balls coming onto the greens. Additional surface parking will also be available for another 125 spaces.

The project will encompass about 4 acres of a 7-acre brownfield parcel, leaving plenty of additional room for future development, including along the Buffalo River and a 550-foot concrete wharf.

The project is fully funded, and Blakely and Swift hope to start construction next year, with an opening in 2021 after 12 to 16 months of work. It will likely qualify for state brownfield tax credits, and is located in a qualified opportunity zone, but the team is not seeking other public funding. -- September 21, 2019 Buffalo News article

Gotham Greens (Chicago, Illinois) -- The indoor greenhouse agriculture company opened a greenhouse in the city in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The growing desire among consumers for fresh greens delivered fast is helping transform parts of Chicago's industrial landscape. Gotham Greens, a pioneer in indoor greenhouse agriculture, yesterday opened its largest greenhouse in Chicago on a portion of the former Ryerson Steel Mill in the historic Pullman neighborhood. The 100K SF greenhouse at 10636 South Woodlawn Ave. is its sixth nationwide, and more than doubles the company’s Midwest production.

Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives repurposed and sold the land to Gotham Greens, part of an effort that has also brought in the 140K SF Whole Foods Midwest Distribution Center, the LEED-Platinum certified Method Products factory and Pullman Crossings, a 62-acre industrial park where Ryan Cos. is putting the finishing touches on a 400K SF industrial spec building. “What’s happening here in some ways mirrors the transition of the national economy, where we’re seeing many industrial areas transformed by green, sustainable and environmentally friendly companies,” CNI President David Doig said.

....

Doig expects the Pullman site will continue to grow overall as well, and aside from its available workforce, land and hub of transportation links, he credits its location within a federal opportunity zone. Although these designations, which will allow investors to eventually receive tax breaks, have received criticism, with some charging they attract investment to already-affluent areas, Doig said the zones have been instrumental in bringing much-needed funds to Pullman. The spec by Ryan Cos., for example, is a $35M project, and all the funding came from opportunity zone investors. “Pullman is still suffering after years of disinvestment, so we have a lot of catching up to do.” --November 14, 2020 BisNow article

Greenbacker Renewable Opportunity Zone Fund LLC announced today that its first solar business, a 3.1-megawatt solar project, has begun commercial operations and is now producing electricity. This marks the first project completed by Greenbacker Renewable Opportunity Zone Fund and the beginning of the fund’s operations. The solar project is located in Capitol Heights, Maryland and is contracted with a wholly-owned subsidiary of WGL Holdings, a public utility company serving the greater Washington DC area. The first-of-its-kind facility in the county is in a qualified opportunity zone that has been vacant for 30 years after it was deemed unsuitable for residential development. The solar project will produce enough energy to power 333 homes and is expected to contribute approximately $1.4 million in total tax revenue to the county over its length of service.

Commenting on the project, CEO Charles Wheeler stated, “Greenbacker is thrilled to announce the completion of the Project.” He went on to add, “Renewable energy assets are commonly built on the marginal land that tends to fall in opportunity zones. These projects provide local tax revenue and jobs and are a natural extension of Greenbacker’s core investing business.”

Prior to the asset reaching commercial operations, Greenbacker executives joined US Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Anthony Johnson, county officials, and coporate partners for a ribbon cutting event. During his address, Senator Van Hollen said, “The private sector has really come together here…This is a win-win-win for consumers, jobs, and for our environment.”

H2O Connected (Coatesville, Pennsylvania) -- The business will be relocating to an Opportunity Zone and expanding:

H2O Connected, the first Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) business to open its doors in Chester County, will be relocating in late 2020 into a highly anticipated Qualified Opportunity Zone Real Estate project at 190 West Lincoln Highway in Coatesville, developed by Proudfoot Capital.

This former Lukens Steel advertising and marketing office building, built in 1902, is being repurposed into The nth Innovation Center, which will offer entrepreneurs an environment to grow their companies from concept to commercialization.

Already slated to join H2O Connected is nth Solutions, a product development, business incubation, and manufacturing company located in Exton, PA; BioForce Analytics, a provider of sophisticated motion measurement devices for industry and education applications; and Priority Green, a leader in traffic signal preemption products for emergency vehicles. --March 13, 2020 Daily Local article

Habitat Company (Chicago, Illinois) -- The real estate management company, along with other groups, are building a new apartment that is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

For the first time in many years, Chicago’s North Lawndale community is getting a major mixed-use development that will bring much-needed jobs, retail space, and eventually hundreds of new residential units to the historically underserved West Side neighborhood.

....

The public-private partnership between Habitat, Sinai, Cinespace, the CHA, and the city of Chicago isn’t the only unusual aspect of the development. The Ogden Commons will be Chicago’s largest mixed-use project to take advantage of federal Opportunity Zones. --March 9, 2020 Curbed article

“One of those success stories, she said, is the nearby Hazelwood Green development, which is located within one of the 68 designated opportunity zones in Allegheny County. Ms. Kelley and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fleming spent Friday morning at the riverfront property, formerly the LTV Coke Works site, which developers and universities say could become a potential local tech hub.

Ms. Kelley said she’s happy to see the development -—including the Mill 19 building that will become a 240,000-square foot workspace — is within an opportunity zone, and will help lay the groundwork for Pittsburgh’s jobs of the future.

"Not only can Mill 19 provide new jobs and opportunities to Hazelwood, but it will also expose an entire community to advanced manufacturing, which was a community born in traditional manufacturing," Ms. Kelley said.”--November 1, 2019, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

H Design Group (Springfield, Missouri) -- The company is building a 1,940-unit apartment complex that will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The five-story, 194-unit project would repurpose land once home to a dilapidated residential hotel frequented by adults and children living at the edge of homelessness. Groundbreaking is slated for next month; leases might be signed as soon as spring of 2021, said officials tied to the project.

"I think it'll have a great impact," said Rob Haik, principal architect for H Design Group in Springfield, which is working with Kansas City-based Hollis + Miller Architects to design the project for College Town International LLC, the California developer.

...

The deal is expected to rely on lender financing and public tax incentives.

Weinstein said his company has lined up multiple term sheets from lenders who are willing to finance the project, and that CTI will select a lender in four to six weeks. Thus far, he said, the complex is self-financed.

He said CTI became interested in the site because it lies in a "Q.O.Z.," or qualified opportunity zone. As part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the Trump administration designated about 8,800 opportunity zones in low-income census tracts across the United States, according to a New York Times report published in late August.

In Springfield, there are three opportunity zones: Downtown, where the CTI project site is located; a separate splotch of "central Springfield" between Sunshine and Sunset streets; and a big chunk of north Springfield that dwarfs the other two zones. -- September 11, 2019 Springfield News-Leader article

On its website, Hillstone says its goal is “the acquisition and development of income-producing commercial and industrial real estate” in opportunity zones to “generate consistent returns and a profitable exit...all while maximizing community impact.”

The first building in the business park should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2020, and will be used for startups and businesses that can take advantage of the zone. Developer Jacob Hill said the project was already being considered before the creation of an opportunity zone there, but it acted as an incentive.” – September 15th, 2019, Alabama (AL.com)

Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (New Carrollton, Maryland) -- The company announced they are building a multi-housing community in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. (HFF) announces it has arranged construction financing and joint venture equity totaling $65.44 million for the development of The Stella, a 282-unit, transit-oriented multi-housing community located within a designated opportunity zone in New Carrollton, Maryland.

HFF worked on behalf of the developer, Urban Atlantic, to secure a $46.56 million construction loan through TD Bank and $18.88 million in joint venture equity from Bridge Investment Group.

The Stella is located at 3950 Garden City Drive at the New Carrollton Metro Station, which is the terminus of the Orange and Purple lines. Less than five miles outside of Washington, D.C., the opportunity zone project is the second phase of Urban Atlantic's 34-acre, 2.3 million-square-foot New Carrollton Metro redevelopment and will serve as the first multi-housing asset within the master plan. The Stella, which sits on a ground lease, will feature a podium-style design with 282 studio through three-bedroom floor plans totaling 218,692 rentable square feet along with 3,500 square feet of ground-floor retail. Units will offer high-end amenities, including quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, plank flooring, walk-in closets, nine-foot ceilings and in-unit washers and dryers. Community amenities will include a swimming pool, common outdoor terraces, club room, game room, fitness center, co-working space, private entertaining room and terrace, coffee bar and dog wash station. The project is due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The HFF debt and equity placement team representing the developer included Walter Coker, Brian Crivella, Jamie Leachman and Evan Parker.

"The Stella represents one of the marquee developments in the region," Leachman said. "The site is located within an opportunity zone and adjacent to the New Carrollton metro station. These factors, coupled with the involvement of a premier developer like Urban Atlantic, drew a tremendous amount of interest from institutional groups looking to capitalize on the new tax laws." -- June 26, 2019 Contify Investment News article

Home 2/Tru by Hilton (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) -- A hotel chain opened a new location in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

As investors rushed to invest in Opportunity Zones before the end of the year, Driftwood Acquisitions & Development and Merrimac Ventures locked in their first deal in the federal tax program.

The Coral Gables-based investment firm Driftwood and Fort Lauderdale-based Merrimac closed a deal through an Opportunity Zone fund by raising $24 million to develop a 218-key dual-branded hotel. The Home 2/Tru by Hilton will be built at 315-333 Northwest 1st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village. The deal closed right before the end of the year, allowing investors to take advantage of the largest possible tax benefit in the Opportunity Zones program.

The deal also comes on the heels of the long awaited final regulations released by the U.S. Treasury and the IRS late last month, which experts say gives real estate investors the clarity to start putting money into Opportunity Zone real estate projects.

Jorge L. Gomez-Moller, Driftwood’s general counsel, said investment in the company’s Opportunity Zone fund has come from retail investors as well as wealthy family offices looking to take advantage of lucrative cash breaks. The project is expected to be completed within the first quarter of 2020.

Driftwood and Merrimac secured a $28.4 million construction loan from Little Rock, Arkansas-based Bank OZK, to build the hotel. The bank is one of the most active construction lenders in South Florida, New York City and Los Angeles.

The deal is just one of many initiatives that Driftwood has in store for 2020, as Gomez-Moller said the company is seeking to raise $200 million to $250 million in capital through two new real estate funds. The company is also looking to reposition a 10-story office building in Wilmington, Delaware into a 136-room IHG-branded hotel.

The Flagler Village project is one of the few Opportunity Zone projects in South Florida in which investors will begin seeing cash flow in the next few months. Many other Opportunity Zone projects are in pre-development stages, according to Gomez-Moller.

Tucked into President Trump’s 2017 tax legislation, the Opportunity Zones initiative’s goal is to encourage private investment in distressed communities by allowing investors and real estate developers to defer or forgo paying capital gains taxes if they invest in one of the more than 8,700 zones throughout the country.

The program was the most talked about initiative in real estate, but demand has lagged behind the lofty expectations, due to delays in the rollout of the rules. In South Florida, developers claim they have struggled to find deals that pencil out due to the rising costs of land in Opportunity Zones. --January 3, 2020 The Real Deal article

Hotel Equities (Colorado Springs, Colorado) -- The hotel developer is bringing two hotels to the city in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

An Atlanta hotel developer wants to build a Courtyard by Marriott and a Residence Inn in the Colorado Springs Airport's Peak Innovation Business Park, the first hotels on airport land, according to plans made public Tuesday.

Hotel Equities hopes to start construction in January on a Courtyard of 105 to 120 rooms that would open in 2021 as well as a similar-sized Residence Inn to open by 2023 on a 6-acre parcel just south of Milton E. Proby Parkway, which loops in front of the airport passenger terminal. The company would buy that site from the city for $1 million to $1.5 million, airport officials said.

...

Hotel Equities wants to buy the property by year's end to tap federal tax benefits because the site is in a federal Opportunity Zone that covers the airport property. The Opportunity Zone program allows investors in such projects to delay paying federal income tax on investment profits until 2026. To get the maximum tax benefit from zone projects, the investments must be made this year.

Hotel Equities also is a partner in a 259-room hotel being built downtown southwest of South Tejon and Costilla streets. It will operate under Marriott's Element and SpringHill Suites brands. That $75 million project, set to open in 2021, also will receive Opportunity Zone tax benefits. The company operates a Fairfield Inn & Suites near the Air Force Academy and more than 140 other hotels in 24 states and three Canadian provinces. -- August 21, 2019 Colorado Springs Gazette article

A project to erect the first hotel along Lancaster Boulevard holds the promise of upgrading the entire downtown section of the city.

Developed as a joint venture between InSite Development in Woodland Hills and St. Louis hotel firm Midas Hospitality, the project will create a $25 million, 107-key extended-stay Residence Inn by Marriott International at 857 W. Lancaster Blvd. on the Antelope Valley's busiest thoroughfare. Construction of the four-story, 80,000-square-foot building is scheduled to begin later this year, with the hotel's opening planned for early 2021.

Located on four acres just west of Chimney Rock near Bellaire, the 1970s-era complex will be renovated and rebranded by the new owner. The units, of which 59 percent are unrenovated and 41 percent are partially renovated, average 887 square feet.

"We are excited to uplift another community in the area by introducing The Atrium at 5606, formerly known as Mark VI Apartments," Manu Gupta, managing director of Indus Management Group said in an announcement. "This will be our fourth acquisition in the submarket."

Mark VI is zoned to Bellaire High School. Amenities include a swimming pool, six landscaped courtyards, on-site laundry facilities and covered parking. The property is in a Qualified Opportunity Zone, meaning investors who make improvements can get tax benefits as part of a federal program designed to spur economic development. -- October 14, 2019 Houston Chronicle article

Invertase Brewing Co. (Phillipsburg, New Jersey) -- A brewery is being built in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A piece of paper taped to the door blocks the view inside. "No peeking!!" it says. There are smiley faces inside the O and under the two exclamation points.

Inside is where Stephen and Karen Zolnay are hard at work turning a family hobby of 15 years into a business.

When finished, Invertase Brewing Co. will be one of just a handful of breweries in northwest New Jersey, and the only one in Phillipsburg. Breweries are more plentiful just across the Delaware River in Easton, a community from which the Zolnays hope to draw support.

...

What's more, they said, the site is at a crucial intersection for Route 22 motorists getting to and from the free bridge and falls within an federal opportunity zone, giving them some economic incentive as well. -- July 21, 2019 Hunterdon County Democrat article

Jetton General Contracting (Jonesboro, Arkansas) -- The contracting company has built a number of "micro-lofts" in the Opportunity Zones:

"Just about any type of business can qualify in an Opportunity Zone, as can property and equipment. The only businesses that don’t qualify on the front end are so-called “sin” businesses such as massage parlors, strip clubs, country clubs, golf courses and others.

.....

Jetton General Contracting has built a number of downtown “micro-lofts” that are small, modern loft-style apartments suited for college students, she said. The downtown area has about 130 lofts and other apartments." -- February 27, 2020 Talk Business article

JMA Ventures LLC (Phoenix, Arizona) -- The firm is building an apartment community located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

San Francisco-based JMA Ventures LLC is on track to break ground next week for a $75 million apartment community in the warehouse district in downtown Phoenix.

The last time the developer bought land in downtown Phoenix — about four blocks away from its current location at Fourth and Buchanan streets — it was 20 years ago.

JLL Capital Markets (Jersey City, New Jersey) -- The company is investing in a brand new apartment complex, which will create new jobs:

"JLL Capital Markets has arranged a $20.5 million loan for an investment fund that’s buying a Jersey City apartment complex, NJBIZ reported. Borrower Normandy Opportunity Zone Fund, which is managed by Columbia Property Trust, plans to use the financing to purchase the 93-unit, six-story building known as The Ashton, which is in an opportunity zone. The building houses 62 parking spots, according to the outlet. Rialto Capital Management provided the two-year, floating rate loan. " -- February 26, 2020 The Real Deal article

JLL Capital (Jersey City, New Jersey) -- The company announced it is building an apartment community located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

JLL Capital Markets announced today that it has arranged $41 million in acquisition financing for BELA, a newly developed, 104-unit, luxury apartment community located within a qualified opportunity zone in Jersey City’s rapidly expanding Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood.

The Ashley Street Container Lofts will consist of 18 apartment units totaling 2,280 square feet constructed from shipping containers, according to the plans prepared by Kimley Horn. Plans for the project on 0.13 acres at 412 East Ashley Street were first submitted in June.

Lakemont Retirement Community (Newport City, Vermont) -- A developer was able to build a new retirement community by taking advantage of the TCJA Opportunity Zone program:

NEWPORT CITY — Developer Heidi Eichenberger wants to build a $22 million housing development called LakemontRetirement Community on Lakemont Road featuring nearly 200 apartments and a full range of services.

She hopes to tap into a newly created "opportunity zone" in Newport City that would allow people who sell property to invest and defer capital gains taxes into the future and also reduce the tax burden over time.

If all goes well with investments and permitting, construction could begin on Lakemont Retirement Community in the spring and be completed in October, said Eichenberger this week.

It's a unique development for Vermont that has support from Newport City Mayor Paul Monette, Jon Freeman, president of Northern Community Investment Corp., and others working in the accounting, construction and banking industries.

"I look at this as ideal," Monette said Thursday when some of the supporters and people working with Eichenberger on the project gathered at her office at the Hearing Center of Vermont on the Derby Road.

......

And it is the first large project to be proposed for one of Vermont's 25 "opportunity zones." There are thousands nationwide but the law that created these zones is new. There are two other zones in the Northeast Kingdom in Lyndonvileand St. Johnsbury.

Eichenberger said she initially looked at developing the project in Derby but switched to Newport City when she learned about the opportunity zone here. She created Lakemont Investment LLC to take advantage of this special zone.

The zone allows investors who sell property to invest their capital gains into the project and defer capital gains taxes for years and also see some tax breaks on the investment, according to Stephen Trenholm, certified public accountant with Gallagher, Flynn & Company. -- February 15, 2019 The Caledonian-Record article.

Linc Housing (Long Beach, California) -- The company is building an apartment complex for people who have experienced homelessness, in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Linc Housing has announced the start of construction on Bloom at Magnolia, an all-new, 40-unit apartment community in Long Beach for people who have experienced homelessness.

Located in the South Wrigley neighborhood in central Long Beach, Bloom at Magnolia is aligned with key concepts in the City's proposed General Plan Update by incorporating smart growth principles to develop a thriving and livable community that promotes healthy living, education, opportunity and neighborhood engagement. The 37,900-square-foot site was purchased from the City of Long Beach's nonprofit affiliate, the Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC), following a competitive bidding process.

....

Funding for the development comes from a variety of sources including $8.5 million from the Los Angeles County Development Authority (general funds, Mental Health Housing Program Funds, and Measure H Funds), $2 million in gap financing from the Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC), a conventional loan from the California Community Reinvestment Corporation, a construction loan from Union Bank, tax credit equity from Raymond James Tax Credit Funds, Inc., and Affordable Housing Program funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank. The California Endowment provided predevelopment support. Bloom at Magnolia also benefits from the federal Opportunity Zone incentive program intended to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities. -- April 29, 2020 Market Line News article

Larkspur Capital Partners (Dallas, Texas) -- The company is building a apartment complex located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Builders who have done a series of successful East Dallas projects are headed to north Oak Cliff with a new development. Larkspur Capital Partners is building an apartment community at 1100 N. Zang Blvd., near Lake Cliff Park. The five-story rental project at the intersection of Zang and Beckley Avenue will have 71 units. The building was designed by Dallas architect Omniplan. “Construction will start in May and take 18 months,” Larkspur Capital’s Carl Anderson said. “It will feature amenities including a pool, coworking space, a gym, a dog wash, a resident bicycle repair shop, a dedicated Uber loading zone and electric vehicle charging.” “Additionally, there will be live-work units that front Zang Boulevard,” Anderson said. “These units are double volume height spaces that feature a work area below with mezzanine bedroom space above.” He said the units are a response to tenant demand for work-at-home spaces.

“These will be some of the first true live-work units under the city’s new form-based zoning ordinance,” Anderson said. “Moreover, the project is in a Qualified Opportunity Zone and will be one of the first development projects in Dallas to take advantage of this compelling new program.” Larkspur Capital has built several successful East Dallas townhouse projects. The developer is also renovating the former Faulkner Tower office building in Lakewood. In addition, Larkspur has other projects in the works, including a 60-unit multifamily project on Henderson Avenue in East Dallas and a 250-unit, seven-story mixed-use project along the Santa Fe Trail on the eastern edge of Dallas’ Deep Ellum district. -- March 21, 2020 Dallas Morning News article

LignaTerra Global (Lincoln, Maine) -- A company that makes a composite wood material is opening a new factory that will employ 100 people, located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A North Carolina company that makes a composite wood material used in construction plans to invest $31 million into opening a new factory in Lincoln that will employ about 100 people.

LignaTerra Global LLC will build its new 300,000-square-foot plant on a section of open land that was formerly part of the former Lincoln Paper and Tissue mill site, but that the town bought early last year. The company initially planned to open its plant at the former paper mill site in Millinocket but withdrew those plans late last year as a local economic development group struggled to resolve an old federal tax lien on the property.

...

The operation will be funded by venture capital firms that are taking advantage of a new federal tax program that's meant to promote investment in economically depressed parts of the country, according to Nick Holgorsen, LignaTerra's managing director and co-founding partner.

Under that program, a part of the 2017 tax bill passed by Congress, the town of Lincoln has been designated a so-called Opportunity Zone, and the town has used that status to create a special fund through which investors can support eligible projects and potentially receive a break on their capital gains taxes. -- September 25, 2019 Bangor Daily News article

Lionsgate (New York City, New York) -- The movie production company is building a new movie studio in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Real estate development firm National Resources of Connecticut and U.K.-based asset management firm Great Point Capital Management have secured financing for the first phase of the studio complex, estimated to cost $60 million.

Construction of the complex will consist of a $100 million investment across two phases. It's expected to create up to 420 new jobs in Yonkers, according to National Resources.

Plans for the development call for the construction of 70,000 square feet of studio space and 38,600 square feet of additional space next to the former Otis Elevator Co. building in Yonkers' iPark Hudson in Getty Square.

Lionsgate's studio will be located near the former Yonkers Herald Statesman building and the recently completed Avalon Yonkers apartment complex on Alexander Street.

IPark Hudson is owned by National Resources. CIT Bank has provided a $40 million construction loan to fund the first phase of the project.

Robert Halmi, the founder of Hallmark Channel and manager of Great Point Capital, said the loan closed on March 31. Financing for the first phase of the project includes $10 million in federal Opportunity Zone financing and an additional $10 million in equity financing.

"We are hoping to break ground in four weeks," Halmi said. "But if we have to delay another two weeks from there or another four weeks from there, we will add crew and work overtime to make sure the first phase still opens around the end of this year." -- April 13, 2020 The Journal News article

LongTail Building (Louisville, Kentucky) -- The bar was converted into an office building located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

After extensive restoration, a neighborhood bar that served bourbon for nearly a hundred years sees new life as a space designed for early-stage companies and events. Walking distance to Churchill Downs, the LongTail Building is located at 2532 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40208, in an opportunity zone blocks away from the University of Louisville and surrounded by new student housing. The LongTail Building is a multi-use entrepreneurial event space reimagining the building's history as the Whirlaway Tavern. Triple Crown-winning horse Whirlaway was nicknamed Mr. Longtail. The term "long tail" also represents part of a distribution curve, one that drives technology adoption and creates markets at scale.

The LongTail Building hosts offices for early-stage funds, the 6ixth Event, and Narwhal Ventures. These funds invest in early-stage companies and working with startups and investors located around the country. The building holds LongTail Ventures, a business incubator focused on creating early-stage companies outside traditional venture models. The space is available for corporate events and community functions.

The space showcases the region's rich history and culture with quintessential regional experience. Designed by an award-winning architect, the building boasts historic brick, block glass, hand-cut timbers, hand-painted signs, and details with spaces that feel like a Kentucky barn complete with hookups for food trucks to support a jamboree. Designers gave primary importance to the outdoor spaces with dozens of trees planted along with botanical gardens, all designed to create a flow between the outside and inside of the location. The LongTail Building boasts modern technology such as super-fast internet access from fiber run on a Ruckus network, ultra-short-throw projection screens with next-gen teleconferencing, and a Helium based IoT / LoRaWAN Network.

The LongTail Building restoration was a team effort in reimagining the use of historic indoor and outside spaces. Studio Mayo Architects (American Institute of Architects | 2018 KY Merit Award) did the project, along with Lichtefeld Construction, Sweet Carpentry of Kentuckiana (boutique carpenter), and Slugger City Signs (artist at Kentucky College of Art & Design) and Mighty Fine Signs (Ghost Sign specialist). Historic signs on the building's exterior were restored and reinterpreted by hand, based on archival photos, all commemorating the history of the city and space. -- March 24, 2020 company press release

Marathon Kickz(Aiken, South Carolina) -- This shoe store opened because of the Opportunity Zones portion of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Victor Fuewell is the owner of Marathon Kickz, on the intersection of Hampton Avenue and York Street. He says after years of selling rare shoes online, he decided to open shop in his neighborhood.

“Once I saw that I could sell my shoes on e-Bay and it was very profitable, I started going to sneaker conventions,” Explained Fuewell. “So it gave me the idea to open up a store for the community.”

The goal of the opportunity zone is to blossom these neighborhoods. Fuewell says his store is playing a role in bringing people in and keeping kids out of trouble.

“They’re in here for hours looking at shoes,” said Fuewell. “They’re also able to trade some shoes they have at the house for another pair. It keeps them in the store a lot.”

Marathon Kickz has been open for business for about three weeks. The owner hopes his company can be the stepping stone for other investors to bring their businesses on this side of town.

“People are just afraid to give it a chance because of the crime over this way,” said Fuewell. “So investors are kind of afraid to open up a business because they afraid of the crime.”

Maxus Reality Trust (Kingsport, Tennessee) -- The company is building an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

According to the Mastered in Tennessee website, there are currently four Opportunity Zone projects in the Tri-Cities area. The projects, business type, and value are:

Town Park Lofts – Kingsport – $39.4 million. This reflects the developer’s sale of The Lofts to Maxus Realty Trust. The Lofts is a luxury apartment complex on the edge of downtown Kingsport. --November 22, 2019 DonFenley.Com article

MetroHealth (Cleveland, Ohio) -- The company announced they will be bringing 250 apartment units near the hospital campus, in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The MetroHealth System announced a planned $60 million investment that will bring approximately 250 apartment units to West 25th Street near the hospital's main campus.

The health care system, working with a private developer, plans to build up to 72 affordable housing units on what is now a parking lot at West 25th Street and Sackett Avenue, and two buildings with up to 190 market-rate apartments at a to-be-determined site on West 25th.

...

MetroHealth, in partnership with NRP Group, also plans to build up to 190 market-rate apartments on West 25th Street. The exaction location and configuration of the two buildings has not been finalized (RDL Architects). DEPICTION

Developers are looking at how to effectively leverage the area's status as an Opportunity Zone to help finance the projects, Zucca said. Opportunity Zones are federally designated, economically distressed census tracts where, under certain conditions, investors receive tax benefits if they invest in real-estate projects or businesses there. -- June 28, 2020 Cleveland Plain Dealer article

Midas Hospitality (Los Angeles, California) -- The hospitality chain is building a hotel in Los Angeles in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Midas Hospitality has been tapped to develop a hotel in the Los Angeles area, marking a shift in strategy from the company's focus on underserved markets.

Midas will co-develop a $25 million, 107-room Residence Inn in Lancaster, California, after the brand's parent, Marriott, referred Midas to the local developer, InSite Development. The project is currently in the pre-development stage, but Midas will manage the hotel once complete, co-founder J.T. Norville said.

The Maryland Heights-based company developed a niche building and managing hotels in underserved markets like Kentucky, Ohio and the Carolinas, which helped to push Midas to one of St. Louis' largest privately held companies with $124.8 million in revenue last year. And Norville had said in 2018 that "you're not going to see us in Manhattan or Chicago."

But Norville said the Lancaster project was appealing because it was a Residence Inn, one of the strongest brands in Midas' portfolio; the area is home to a major aeronautics market with companies like Northrup Grumman and Boeing, as well as Edwards Air Force Base; and its location within an "opportunity zone," which allow investors to reinvest capital gains in federally designated economically disadvantaged areas.

"It's a good investment opportunity for our investors," Norville said.

Midas is launching an opportunity zone fund and is aiming to raise $12 million for the Lancaster project. Its first OZ fund in Midtown raised $35 million in four months.

MidCity (Washington, D.C.) -- The company is building an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A new 108-unit apartment building at 1400 Montana Ave. NE is among the District's first projects under the federal government's new opportunity zone program, enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Under the program, anyone who invests in a designated "opportunity zone" — typically economically distressed neighborhoods — can receive tax incentives. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) designated 25 locations in the District as opportunity zones, including the Brentwood neighborhood in Northeast.

MidCity, which has developed more than 15,000 units across the United States and owns about 9,000 units in the District and in Maryland, is financing 1400 Montana with its first opportunity fund. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2020 and be complete by the summer of 2021.

The project will include 11 affordable units available to households earning 60 percent of area median income, which is $121,300 for a household of four in the D.C. metro area. Eligibility requirements are based on household size as well as income. The apartment building will have a roof terrace, a fitness center, a lounge for residents and workspaces, as well as parking for 34 cars.

The new project is adjacent to MidCity's 20-acre Brookland Manor property, which is being redeveloped in several phases into RIA, a mixed-income, mixed-use project that will eventually have 1,800 residential units. That site is also designated as an opportunity zone, which will assist MidCity, along with charitable and public financing, in supporting community development and infrastructure improvements. -- July 10, 2019 Washington Post article

Mihaus (Cincinnati, Ohio) -- The company plans to build an apartment building in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Indianapolis-based developer Milhaus plans to build a $77 million, 344-unit apartment building near the Ohio River downtown, along with a 390-space garage, a project known as Artistry Cincinnati.

“Artistry will offer the best of all aspects of Cincinnati urban living – close proximity to the city’s best employment center and entertainment districts, all while being in a quiet location along the beautiful Ohio River Trail” said Jake Dietrich, MIlhaus’ development director. "Skyline, park and river views, along with great recreation and entertainment opportunities just steps away are all reasons why we know residents will be eager to live here. Milhaus is excited to finally provide the development solution this site has long been looking for - adding significant housing that will help Cincinnati continue to attract new employers and residents to this great city."

Monde Group (North Little Rock, Arkansas) -- The company is building an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Arkansas-based Monde Group broke ground Wednesday (Jan. 8) on the Esplanade District, a 41-acre mixed-use neighborhood development in North Little Rock along the Arkansas River. It is located adjacent to Rockwater Village and Riverside at Rockwater Apartments.

The first phase includes the construction of Esplanade luxury apartment homes, which will feature 92 one- and two-bedroom units, all with private balconies or patios. The property, which is expected to cost about $20 million to develop, is scheduled to open in early 2021.

“Esplanade will offer a unique living experience unlike any other in central Arkansas,” said Blake Jackson founder and managing partner of the Monde Group. “In addition to our premiere valet services and enhanced security features, our property will also feature a spa, fitness center, bicycle lockers, beach, swim-up bar, entertainment and lush gardens.”

Future costs of the acreage to be developed are unknown. Over the next 10-15 years, Jackson said the development will include restaurants, bars and specialty shops with condos, single-family homes and a boutique hotel.

“We really see Esplanade as the first step on a new path to modern living in central Arkansas,” Jackson said. “With close proximity to parks, golf courses, the millennium bike trail, Rockwater Marina, the Argenta Arts District, downtown Little Rock, North Little Rock, and the Clinton National Airport, Esplanade will boast the first significant phase of what will be a multi-phase community development and continue the momentum of Rockwater Village and North Little Rock’s building renaissance.” --January 8, 2020 Talk Business article

NAI Legacy (Minneapolis, Minnesota) -- The company built an apartment complex that is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Call it planning ahead. But when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 unveiled the Opportunity Zone program, officials with Minneapolis’ NAI Legacy saw potential. And the firm acted on that potential.

Duane Lund, chief executive officer of NAI Legacy, said that he and other executives at the Twin Cities commercial real estate firm looked hard at Opportunity Zone legislation way back in the summer of 2018. They studied what Opportunity Zones could mean for NAI Legacy’s business model.

“We educated ourselves on the program from the business side,” Lund said. “We surrounded ourselves with law firms and accounting firms that were diving deep into it, too. We’ve since given many of the investors in our program comfort with the assets we’ve targeted.”

One of those assets? Birdtown Flats, a new luxury apartment building in the Minneapolis suburb of Robbinsdale. This apartment complex opened for initial occupancy in February of 2020, and is located near downtown Robbinsdale.

Birdtown Flats includes 152 units and features amenities that include a rooftop deck, fitness center, business center, common area, underground heated parking, dog walk and bike-storage area.

New Orleans Redevelopment Fund (New Orleans, Louisiana) -- The fund is building a mixed-use apartment building for Tulane University medical that is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The New Orleans Redevelopment Fund has closed on $45 million in financing to convert the former Warwick Hotel into a mixed-use apartment building for Tulane University medical students.

NORF said in a news release Wednesday that the package consists of a construction financing facility provided by Hancock Whitney Bank and a bridge loan for Historic Tax Credits by Midland State Bank.

....

“We’re thrilled to partner with Tulane as it executes on its bold vision for downtown. Further, as a fellow New Orleanian, I am incredibly excited for the promise this development brings to the neighborhood and Duncan Plaza in a time where we see significant uncertainty. Despite challenging market conditions and the complexity of this project, we utilized our unique expertise in Qualified Opportunity Zones and Historic Tax Credits to get this project financed on schedule,” saiad NORF’s Development Director Cullan Maumus. -- April 1, 2020 New Orleans City Business article

Nelson Construction & Development (Sioux City, Iowa) -- The company is in the process of restoring the historic building that they acquired, which is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A Sioux City developer has purchased the historic Benson Building at the corner of Douglas and Seventh streets.

Nelson Construction & Development, the property's new owner, is planning to "breathe new life into" the six-story brick and terra cotta structure built in 1920, according to a press release from the firm.

The sale price was $350,000, according to county sales records.

Steve Nelson, the head of Nelson Construction, said the firm is in the process of having the building, 705 Douglas St., registered as an Iowa historic building.

The plan is to return the building to its 1920s-1930s glory, Nelson said, preserving original elements of the building wherever possible. The firm has the original planning documents used during the building's construction a century ago, which could be something of a roadmap for a historically accurate restoration.

"You'll see a lot of restoration, not necessarily new things added," Nelson said.

Nelson said the firm is in talks with a retailer as a tenant for the lower floor, which he said would "really supplement the downtown."

Floors three through six, he said, will probably be apartments, while the second floor and the remainder of the first floor would be office space. The first floor, the only part of the building that currently has occupants, is about 80 percent filled at present, he said.

The building's basement could become an underground parking garage, which would complement the property's adjacent surface parking lot.

The possibility of a rooftop patio with a view of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is also under consideration, according to the press release.

Interior work on the building, Nelson said, could start within the next 60 days or so, with more construction beginning possibly in September or October. From the time construction starts, Nelson estimated it could be 12 to 14 months until apartments are leased.

The Benson Building is situated within the boundaries of a newly created federal "Opportunity Zone," a part of the 2017 tax law which provides tax advantages for owners of properties in areas considered economically distressed. -- March 4, 2020 Sioux City Journal article

Nitze-Stagen (Seattle, Washington) -- The real estate firm is building a mixed-use building that will include student apartments and office space that is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

That's why around here, investors and developers have been at pains to emphasize that their opportunity zone projects are very, very different. On the horizon in Washington's opportunity zones: Student housing in Bellingham. A mixed-use development in downtown Bremerton. Office parks in Arlington.

Last week, developers broke ground on Seattle's first opportunity zone development, an 80-unit Pioneer Square apartment building called Canton Lofts. The $1,795 studio apartments are aimed at people making between $60,000 and $90,000, the developers say. -- October 27, 2019 Lewiston Tribune article

Old Sistrunk Distillery (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) -- Rapper Flo Rida is opening a vodka distillery in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The 40-year-old multiplatinum artist is going beyond the music charts as the co-owner and brand ambassador of Old Sistrunk Distillery, according to a Tuesday report from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The 13,000-square-foot venue is set to open either in late 2020 or early 2021 in one of Fort Lauderdale’s minority neighborhoods.

Old Sistrunk Distillery will pour Victor George Vodka, a brand co-owned by music execturned entrepreneur Victor G. Harvey. Flo Rida will serve as an equity partner and brand ambassador for the company, which is hyper-focused on distilling the popular Russian spirit.

“I have known Mr. Harvey for years and I’ve seen his grind, hard work and enthusiasm in building his brand,” Flo Rida said in a press statement. He added that he looks forward to “developing new products through the construction of a distillery in historic Sistrunk and empowering the community.”

In November, Harvey paid $75,000 for a 6,306-square-foot lot in Sistrunk, according to real estate news company The Real Deal. The property is considered an “Opportunity Zone,” which means any development could qualify for potential tax benefits such as deferred federal taxes on capital gains until 2026 because the federal government views investment in low-income areas as a positive.

“Opportunity zones are an economic development tool—that is, they are designed to spur economic development and job creation in distressed communities,” the IRS has written on the matter.

Harvey appears to be in agreement with the economic decision. Sistrunk is Fort Lauderdale’s oldest African American community and the median income in the very area the distillery is being built is $36,372, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which is significantly less than Fort Lauderdale’s overall median income of $55,269.

“What we are building in the Sistrunk community is exactly what the area needs," Harvey said in a press release. "A place to dine, drink, and socialize without having to leave the area.”

Opelika Innovation and Technology Park (Opelika, Alabama) -- The mayor announced that he is creating a technology park that is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller announced the creation of a new technology park for the city Tuesday, which he and city leaders believe will attract new businesses to the city.

The Opelika Innovation and Technology Park has 105 acres of land along Highway 280 West between Veterans and Waverly parkways, in close proximity to Auburn University, Southern Union State Community College, Tiger Town and East Alabama Medical Center.

“I think it’s going to be positive because a number of investors are looking for a place — an opportunity zone — because of the wonderful tax ramifications that it offers investors,” Mayor Gary Fuller said, adding that he thinks the new park will be popular and that the city will hopefully announce its first tenant soon.

John Sweatman, project manager for the city’s department of economic development, said it’s now a matter of letting businesses know about what the park has to offer, and to target companies that would make good fits for the city.

The land for the park is classified as an opportunity zone, which benefits and provides incentives for businesses to move there. Not only is the cost for build-to-suit leasing cheaper, but businesses in opportunity zones also are prioritized for grant making and can benefit from investing in their own operations.

“Opelika has been incredibly proactive about harnessing the power of its Opportunity Zone. Its vision for building a place where innovation and technology can co-exist matches perfectly with the spirit of the Opportunity Zone incentive, which facilitates investment in both buildings and the companies that occupy them,” said Alexander Flachsbart, founder and CEO of Opportunity Alabama, in a news release announcing the new plan.

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The town of Springfield became a center of machine tool manufacturing in the 20th century. But as the industry began to wane, this industrial town on the Connecticut River, once an economic powerhouse, fell on hard times and has struggled to reinvent itself.

Local boosters say a new federal program that gives wealthy people incentives to invest in low-income communities could be the key to reviving Springfield's economy.

The so-called “Opportunity Zone" program has brought new investors to this storied factory town.

The tax break incentive has proved to be “an extremely attractive tool" for economic development, according to Bob Flint, the executive director of the Springfield Regional Development Corp.

Orb Development (Boca Raton, Florida) -- The company announced they will be creating a mixed-use building that will house 131 apartments in addition to retail space, located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Locally-based Orb Development and joint venture partner Pebb Capital of Boca Raton has acquired a 0.25-acre Qualified Opportunity Zone site here and plans to build a mixed-use project there.

The property is located at 155 Chestnut St. in the Innovation District, previously known as the Jewelry District. The partnership plans to construct a modular 110,000-square-foot, Class A, mixed-use development that will feature 131 multifamily units and approximately 8,600 square feet of retail space at the quarter-acre site. -- September 20, 2019 Palm Beach Business Review article

Oxford Capital Group LLC (Detroit, Michigan) -- The company is building a hotel in an Opportunity Zone created by Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A $45 million boutique hotel is expected to rise in Corktown near Michigan Central Station.

The seven-story Godfrey Hotel at 1401 Michigan Ave. by Farmington Hills-based Hunter Pasteur Homes and Chicago-based Oxford Capital Group LLC is planned to start construction in the fourth quarter and be complete in time for the North American International Auto Show in the summer of 2022, pending various city approvals.

The project, which has been in the works for over a year, would join a crowded field of boutique hotels in varying stages of development in the greater downtown Detroit area. It would also mark the first major new development revealed in the Corktown neighborhood, about two years after it was first reported that Ford Motor Co. was redeveloping the train station on 15th Street and building an autonomous vehicle and electric vehicle campus in the neighborhood.

A building on the site, most recently City Cab, that has been vacant for a couple of decades would be torn down to make way for the new project, subject to approval from the Historic District Commission.

"We respect the process," said Randy Wertheimer, president and CEO of Hunter Pasteur.

The property is owned by Nemo's Restaurant, which is on the other side of Michigan Avenue.

The new hotel would have 225 rooms with an average daily rate of $260 to $280 per night, John Rutledge, founder, president and CEO of Oxford Capital, said in a Wednesday morning interview with Crain's. Other features include a year-round rooftop lounge with the capacity to seat over 300 people, as well as 6,000 square feet of ballroom space that can hold up to 300 or 400 people for weddings and other events, said Wertheimer. A new restaurant is also expected as part of the project.

Rutledge said the hotel is expected to employ between 200-225 full- and part-time employees.

In addition to Oxford Capital and Hunter Pasteur, other lead investors include Nathan Forbes, managing partner of Southfield-based Forbes Co., which owns Somerset Collection in Troy, and James Grosfeld, the former CEO of Pulte Group, Wertheimer said.

Rutledge and Wertheimer declined to discuss financial specifics. But they said the project is fully financed and that Opportunity Zone status for the area made it easier to secure equity, which comes primarily from local sources, Wertheimer said. He declined to reveal other investors. -- March 16, 2020 Crain’s Detroit Business article

Pacific Oak Capital and Defer Gain (Phoenix, Arizona) -- The company is building an affordable housing complex in downtown Phoenix that will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Three apartment complexes are headed to an Opportunity Zone in downtown Phoenix, addressing the need for affordable housing. These projects are valued at $61 million.

Investment company Pacific Oak Capital and Defer Gain, an Arizona-based real estate development company specializing in Opportunity Zone investments, have announced a joint venture to develop, finance, and operate multi-family, commercial, and industrial income-producing properties in Arizona Opportunity Zones.

In this first phase, three multi-family housing complexes are being built in downtown Phoenix, the 241-unit St. Ambrose Apartments and the 84-unit Presidential Apartments, and another housing development called Imperial Apartments.

"It's exciting to see Opportunity Zone developments providing support to a critical component of our state's economy — the workforce," said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. "We thank Pacific Oak and Defer Gain for advancing these three projects in downtown Phoenix neighborhoods."

These properties will include amenities such as mail rooms including secured lockers for packages, grocery delivery and cold/ freezer storage, clubhouses, multi-purpose rooms, private conference rooms, exercise facilities, resort style swimming pools, cabanas with private BBQ's, and access to public transportation. There will also be street level retail and mixed use opportunities for the community.

"Adding quality housing is a top priority for our city. I am excited to see new housing, including much-needed workforce units, near our key job corridors in the downtown and airport area,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. -- August 16, 2019 Housing Wire article

Pacific Oak Capital Advisors (Phoenix, Arizona) -- The company is building affordable apartment units in downtown Phoenix in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Thanks to downtown Phoenix's apartment building boom, there are thousands of new places for people to live in the popular area. Unfortunately, many who work or go to college downtown can't afford the pricey rents.

But three new apartment projects could help ease the rent crunch for hundreds of people who want to live near their job or school in central Phoenix.

An Arizona group is teaming with a national investor to develop three more affordable apartment projects in central Phoenix with almost 500 units. Rents for many of the apartments will be below the area's average, which is more than $1,737 a month, according to Colliers International.

Proximity Space Inc. (Montrose, Colorado) -- The coworking company was provided funding to expand the company's network, which is located in various Opportunity Zones created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Montrose’s coworking space has been a first — now a second — when it comes to netting opportunity zone funding.

Proximity Space Inc. first won such funding last August, after the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) named it the first company to successfully place an opportunity zone investment.

The latest win came last week, when Proximity Space was given new funding from the CORI Innovation Fund to help the coworking business’ network.

“It’s a pretty neat step for Proximity to not only get their investment but their first investment,” CEO Josh Freed said.

The CORI Innovation Fund initiative is a qualified opportunity zone fund that invests in high-growth technology companies supporting job creation and revenue generation in rural communities. The Center on Rural Innovation launched this initiative in September 2019.

These CORI funds will go toward the extension of Proximity’s network.

The Proximity network has a national footprint and contains several coworking spaces located in rural areas in addition to recovering economies poised to support the growth of new businesses and entrepreneurs, Freed said.

Proximity’s Montrose location is on one of three different board areas, or census tracts, in Montrose County. Those three were part of 126 tracts in Colorado that in April 2018 won the U.S. Department of Treasury certification as Colorado opportunity zones. --January 19, 2020 Montrose Press article

“In one of the city’s first Opportunity Zone deals, Prudential Financial invested in the $150 million Yard 56 mixed-use project across from Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in East Baltimore, not far from the booming neighborhoods of Brewers Hill and Canton.

Across Baltimore and at the state level, elected officials have praised Opportunity Zones as a needed boost for a city where investment funds aren’t always easy to come by, particularly in some of the neighborhoods where projects are popping up.” – August 7th, 2019, Baltimore Sun

"The insurance and investment management firm said Friday its impact investments group would put an undisclosed amount of money into the first phase of Yard 56, across Eastern Avenue from Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Bayview Medical center. In its $77 million first phase, Yard 56 will have 100,000 square feet of offices and more than 80,000 square feet of shopping, with tenants Streets Market grocery store, LA Fitness, Chipotle, the Brass Tap craft beer bar, Top Coat and Panda Express," – January 11, 2019, Baltimore Sun.

This mixed-use project could blend thousands of residential units with office, retail and even hotel space. “An area developer filed plans with the state in August for a 74-acre, mixed-use project in an Opportunity Zone near the Westside Park at Bellwood Quarry. And in early September, an Atlanta-based film company announced it will build recording studios, sound stages and a technology center on 30 acres of its Opportunity Zone property on Continental Colony Pkwy SW.” – August 26th, 2019, Atlanta Business Chronicle

Realm Group, LLC (Los Angeles, California) -- The company is building an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Realm Group, LLC a joint venture between Realm Real Estate, LLC of Newport Beach, California and The Bascom Group, LLC of Irvine, California, has closed on a 1.5-acre site located in Downtown Los Angeles at 675 South Bixel Street. Realm Group entitled the site for the development of a 36-story, 422-unit mixed-use high-rise multifamily building, to be built as one of the premier residential towers in Downtown Los Angeles. HFF's capital team, led by Charles Halladay, Jamie Kline, Nicholas Lench and Samuel Godfrey facilitated the land financing. Starwood Property Trust provided the debt financing for the land purchase.

The international modern, concrete, steel and glass tower has a loft style design and will feature a rooftop sky lounge providing striking views of the city's skyline along with an expansive 40,000 sq. ft. amenity deck on the 5(th) floor with an inviting pool terrace, market leading amenities including a spacious dog park, making it one of the largest amenity decks in Downtown Los Angeles.

The project is located within walking distance to a robust variety of employment, transportation, retail, restaurant/bar and grocery options. Grocery Outlet, Whole Foods, Target, Teragram Ballroom and Starbucks are a few of the notable nearby retailers. The well-located project boasts a Transit Score of 100 and a Walk Score of 95.

Darrin Olson, principal of Realm Group, commented, "Bixel Tower represents an important component to Downtown Los Angeles' ongoing successful revitalization as the city is facing a severe housing shortage. The development will be a premier asset in Downtown Los Angeles with best in class amenities. The quality conveyed in Bixel Tower will appeal to a broad spectrum of renters." Todd Cadwell, Development Manager of Realm Group, adds, "We are excited to successfully obtain the city entitlements, close on the site and begin the next phase of development."

Bixel Tower represents Realm Group's second high-rise development project in Downtown Los Angeles. Realm's original high-rise development project is located in the Fashion District and is designated as an Opportunity Zone. The Fashion District Tower will consist of a 33-story, 452-unit mixed-use multifamily community. Realm Group entitled the project and subsequently closed on the land in July 2018 with plans to commence construction in 2020. -- June 12, 2020 Realm Group LLC press release

Rastegar Property Company, LLC (Phoenix, Arizona) -- The company is building an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Rastegar Property, a vertically-integrated real estate investment firm focused on value-add and development in all asset classes across the United States, today announced its acquisition of a prominently-located high-rise lot in downtown Phoenix, AZ in anticipation of the city’s rapidly growing demand for residential and commercial real estate space.

Located at 334 N. 4th Ave., the 26,500+ square foot high-rise lot is near many employers, higher education campuses, retail spaces including shops, restaurants and bars, and entertainment venues. The lot’s zoning allows for 550 feet of vertical development, and Rastegar Property plans to use the lot to develop a multifamily high-rise residential complex with office and retail components.

“The Phoenix metropolitan area is experiencing some of the most tremendous job growth in the country, and with that comes significant demand for residential and commercial properties,” said Ari Rastegar, CEO of Rastegar Property. “In addition to its attractive size and location, the property also falls within a designated opportunity zone, a program through which the state of Arizona is encouraging investment and development in the Phoenix metropolitan area. This program, combined with the city’s rapidly growing population, and nation-leading rent and job growth, makes Phoenix an ideal market for Rastegar to make strategic acquisitions that bolster our national portfolio.” -- July 17, 2019 Rastegar Property press release

Ridgewood Consulting (Brookhaven, Mississippi) -- The firm is building 48 new homes that are located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

If all goes as planned, construction of four dozen three-bedroom homes will begin off South First Street next year.

Mayor Joe Cox announced at Tuesday's meeting of the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen that developers recently received $10 million in funding for Mill Creek, a housing community that will be built just north of Dale Trail Northeast.

"At this point, they're vetting their investors and they hope to begin construction in April of 2020," Cox said.

Cox read an email from Len Reeves of Ridgewood Consulting: "With Mill Creek, Brookhaven will be home to the only new construction community that was funded under the State of Mississippi's recent Opportunity Zone housing initiative."

Opportunity Zones is a federal initiative created under the 2017 Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which provides incentives for qualified investors to invest capital gains in distressed communities across the United States. -- October 17, 2019 The Daily Leader article

Rising Tide Management (Birmingham, Alabama) – The housing management company lowered the cost of rent for housing in the Opportunity Zones by an average of $100 because of the tax legislation:

“Rising Tide Management of Birmingham was already buying up distressed housing in and around the Magic City before the creation of opportunity zones. Managing Partner Rob Ashurst said the company owns about 500 properties, with about 50 in the zones.

Rising Tide, which manages the Southeast Opportunity Zone Fund, buys the houses, renovates and manages the houses. In some cases, the company buys the houses for about $8,000, spends about $50,000 on renovations, and then rents them to tenants. By doing so, it is “solving the affordable housing problem,” Ashurst said. They have a 2 to 3 percent vacancy rate. This is a different model than other OZ plans which sometimes involve distressed large buildings repurposed as mixed-use properties with retail and housing.

“We’ve already got five years of operating history,” Ashurst said. “So we were able to put together a plan for investors, and the banks were willing to finance. The investors can get a pretty good return.” Because of the Opportunity Zone credits, rent is about $100 cheaper for tenants in the homes located in the zones, Ashurst said.” – September 15th, 2019, Alabama (AL.com)

“The federal Qualified Opportunity Zones program, created as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, draws investors to struggling areas by offering them a chance to defer tax on eligible capital gains if they make an appropriate investment in a fund associated with a designated zone and meet other requirements.

“Atlanta is home to 26 of Georgia’s Opportunity Zones, which have seen a lot of activity. Since November 2017, 52 commercial and industrial properties have sold in Atlanta Opportunity Zones, funneling a total of $78 million in new capital to those areas, according to the real estate data service, Reonomy…” – September 25th, 2019, Atlanta Business Chronicle

Residential Ventures (Birmingham, Alabama) -- The company is renovating a space to be used for resterauts and apartments in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

An out-of-state developer has detailed more plans for a downtown property on First Avenue North.

Residential Ventures is renovating two floors and adding a third at 2216/2218 First Ave. N. in a project that is expected to reach close to $4 million.

Creature Architecture is designing the 21,000-square-foot project, and David Ashford of The Shopping Center Group is the retail broker.

According to commercial real estate data and analytics provider Reonomy, the building was constructed in 1910 and was last renovated in 1953. The property is located in an Opportunity Zone.

The boutique Denver developer bought the property along with 2327/2409 Morris Ave. for $2.39 million late last year from Lindsey Properties LLC. The development team includes Tim Larson, Cam Borges and Debbie Larson.

Borges, chief operations officer at Residential Ventures, told the Birmingham Business Journal they plan to use the lower floor for a restaurant concept and the upper two floors for two residential units.

The project will feature penthouse-like facades, and both residential units will include a mezzanine and balcony, as well as a living room and large master bedroom. The restaurant will include an outdoor patio and balcony that will open up to a lightwell in the middle of the building, illuminating both the restaurant and residential spaces. -- June 10, 2019 Birmingham Business Journal article

Rock 31 (Billings, Montana) - The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zones are estimated to bring 95 new jobs to the city:

Under President Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, downtown Billings was able to receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce of $2 million as the area qualifies as an Opportunity Zone.

Opportunity Zones are given grants in an attempt to spur economic development by giving tax incentives to investors in economically distressed communities nationwide.

The Opportunity Zone for this project is the Montana National Bank located on 201 N Broadway. The bank will be renovated to house Rock 31 Connect Build and Grow which will provide technical assistance, skills training, hiring resources and more to those embarking on new business ventures.

"This is really designed for people who are taking a big risk and jumping into developing their product, their service any type of early stage high growth company know that this is a space you can come learn from our mentors, learn from our Rock 31 team and connect with like minded individuals," says Program Manager Kevin Scharfe.

Rock 31 is projected to foster nearly two dozen business startups which are expected to create 95 jobs and generate $6.6 million in private investment which would bring change to the community. -- Dec. 3, 2019, KULR article.

River City Capital Partners (Austin, Texas) -- The company is building apartments and commercial developments in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The opportunity zone specialists at River City Capital Partners LLC have closed on a new acquisition in Northeast Austin near major employers and budding neighborhoods.

The 69-acre opportunity zone tract is located on undeveloped land at the intersection of East Yager Lane and East Parmer Lane, just a stone's throw away from Samsung Austin Semiconductor's massive campus. The parcel is also near Shops at Tech Ridge, a 519,354-square-foot shopping center home to major retail tenants, while Reger Holdings LLC is planning a major mixed-use development of its own in close proximity. It's also near the growing Parmer Austin business park that's already home to companies such as General Motors and Facebook.

River City Capital Partners navigated the COVID-19 pandemic to close on the property in early April. The firm declined to disclose the purchase price, but the property was valued for tax purposes at $4,085,893 in 2020, according to Travis Central Appraisal District.

"It’s an opportunity zone tract that is still in close proximity to major employers," said Peter Kehle, CEO of River City Capital Partners. "That’s kind of the main driver for us in what we were looking for, and that’s what we have there.”

Kehle declined to say who River City Capital Partners bought the site from, though TCAD's website still lists the owner as a trustee for J. Tim Brown.

River City Capital Partners plans to develop three distinct elements on the site: multifamily market rate apartments, income-restricted units and a separate commercial development.

Because the site is located in a federally designated opportunity zone — part of an investment program created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — investors in the development can qualify for a variety of perks. That includes significant tax cuts and delays for those who funnel money into opportunity zone projects; up to 15 percent of capital gains invested can be exempted from taxes, if investors keep it in the zone for at least seven years.

Kehle and River City Capital Partners President Cory Older have become something of opportunity zone experts since realizing that a property they were developing in East Riverside was located on the edge of federal opportunity zone. A mixed-use project called Urban East is currently in the works there; it's set to feature 111,000 square feet of office space, about 20,000 square feet of retail and 384 apartments units spread across two buildings.

Urban East was supposed to break ground in early 2020 but that has been delayed due to COVID-19, Kehle said.

Closing a deal during a pandemic

It wasn’t easy for River City Capital Partners to close on its latest opportunity zone development site.

The effort proved cumbersome as the COVID-19 pandemic raged, with extra steps and safety precautions shoehorned into the process at nearly every step.

“Fortunately for the real estate industry, title companies were from the very beginning considered an essential business," Kehle said. “Now, getting to the title company, what would normally be a one-day process turned into a four or five-day process.”

Part of the problem was getting together at one time all of the key players: the buyer, the buyer’s attorney, the seller, the seller’s attorney and the title company. Communications were naturally slowed as all parties acclimated themselves to operating out of home offices.

The process only grew more surreal once it was time to close the deal; Kehle recalls that visitors were allowed inside the title company, Stewart Title of Austin, by appointment only. Even then, the doors were locked upon arrival. Someone came out and wiped down the exterior door handles before anyone entered.

"At the closing table it was made a point to say, 'Here's a fresh pen,'" Kehle recalled.

Kehle described the process as a hectic experience.

“You’ve got minimal staff, but you’ve still got all these deals that are moving forward, and less staff to do the work," he said. "So they were really putting in some hours.”

Moving forward, the tract will have to subdivided and a traffic impact analysis will have to be conducted. Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Kehle estimated it will be at least a year before any construction begins at the site.

The impact of COVID-19

Kehle predicted that real estate will become an increasingly popular investment vehicle as the COVID-19 drags on.

“Generally, people are looking at the money printing that is going to be going on out of the Fed. There will be schools of thought out there that it will eventually become inflationary," Kehle said. "That same school of thought leads people to real estate investing.”

“Money was looking for a reason to get out of the market … and this was a reason," Kehle said.

Because opportunity zone regulations require capital gains investments to unlock the full tax benefits, there is reason to believe money pulled out of the markets could find itself in opportunity zone projects.

“The road is leading to an increased interest in real estate investing," Kehle said. “Yes, that could end up finding its way into these opportunity zone projects.”

Of course, River City Capital Partners isn't the only real estate firm looking to take advantage of opportunity zone benefits. Kehle knows he will continue facing competition for those investments.

“There’s been a lot of money flowing into Opportunity Zone funds, and we try to know who those pools of money are," he said. "But it seems on a regular basis we keep coming across pools of money that we didn’t know were even there. Their names aren’t in neon lights.” -- April 20, 2020 Austin Business Journal article

ROSS Companies (Newport News, Virginia) -- The company is building an affordable apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

ROSS Companies, a leader in multifamily acquisition, property management and renovation in the Mid-Atlantic region, today announced it has assisted in the acquisition by Allagash Opportunity Zone CRE Fund I of Woodlands at Oyster Point, a 152-unit community in Newport News, VA with ROSS Management Services as the managing agent.

The acquisition of Woodlands at Oyster Point marks the start of a new alliance with Allagash Opportunity Zone Partners LLC, the manager of the Fund, as well as ROSS' most active participation in an Opportunity Zone investment. Founded in 2018, Allagash manages private equity real estate funds which focus on adding value to multifamily properties in low- and moderate-income communities in order to maximize both returns for their Fund investors and benefits for current community members. ROSS Companies is a recognized leader in multifamily acquisitions and investment, development, property management, and renovation.

"Our Company is dedicated to creating a quality living experience for our residents and value for our partners. This alliance will enable us to enhance resident satisfaction, maximize financial performance, and create the groundwork for future opportunities between our organizations," says David J. Miskovich, CEO of ROSS Management Services.

"The shared core values of Allagash and ROSS is producing an extremely productive alliance. As a result, we look forward to continuing to provide capital together with ROSS into LMI communities in a profitable and socially thoughtful manner," adds Tony Barkan, CEO of Allagash. -- April 9, 2020 company press release

“The fundraising efforts could help fund the company’s existing developments in designated census areas, like its $170M project in New Rochelle or redevelopment efforts in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.” -- October 24th, 2018, Opportunity Zones Database

Sanctuary Companies (Kennesaw, Georgia) -- The company is building a mixed-use building that will include residential units in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The Cherokee Street corridor between McCollum Parkway and downtown Kennesaw is undergoing a major facelift due to the $280 million Eastpark Village mixed-use development.

The area was identified for redevelopment in 2008 and work began more than three years ago. This week, Chad Howie of Sanctuary Companies, the master developer, provided an update on the project to the City Council.

The development will sit on about 55 acres of land and will include 850 residential units with a mixture of apartments, townhomes and senior living. About 300,000 square feet will be put to commercial use, including retail, self-storage, office space and restaurants.

According to Howie, several real estate brokers, two private detectives and city staff worked to identify the sellers and the developer ultimately acquired 68 properties. He said the company worked with homeowners, tenants and business owners on relocation, and the properties were rezoned T4O and T4L in December 2017.

Earlier this year, the council approved the creation of an entertainment district in downtown Kennesaw, allowing patrons to purchase and walk around with alcoholic beverages. Once the first business to obtain a liquor license is operational, Eastpark Village will also have an entertainment district extending from McCollum Parkway to Poplar Drive, between Cherokee Street and Grant Drive.

"I am very excited about the progress being made," said Darryl Simmons, Kennesaw's zoning administrator. "This development serves as a positive example of partnerships between local government and the development community."

There are also plans to widen Cherokee Street to five lanes, as well as incorporate multi-use trails and make the downtown area accessible to pedestrians.

Howie showed the council photos of the recently completed demolition of much of the area, including Ashton Commons Business Park and residential areas along Smith, Maple, Pine and Rock Springs drives. Big Shanty Smokehouse, a popular barbecue restaurant, is relocating two houses up to the corner of Smith Drive and Cherokee Street since the street widening will negatively affect their current parking situation.

The city applied to the Department of Community Affairs to designate the retail district as an opportunity zone, a tax credit program through the state. Any new businesses creating jobs that meet specified criteria in the zone are eligible for income tax credits per job for a prescribed period of time, according to Robert Fox, economic development director for Kennesaw. DCA denied the application, but the city intends to try and make a case for reconsideration. -- July 31, 2019 Cherokee Tribune article

Santa Fe College (Gainesville, Florida) -- The college is expanding their Center for Innovation and Economic Development which is located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Santa Fe College announced two weeks ago that it had received a $4.8 million federal grant to aid in the rebuild and expansion of its Center for Innovation and Economic Development (CIED) at the Blount Center.

About $1.2 million in state funding will also go toward the project, which, according to a news release, will "support the development and growth of new business sectors by rebuilding and expanding the College Center for Innovation and Economic Development."

"How this grant can help Santa Fe is how we can help our community," said Kathryn Lehman, director of grants and projects. "Because that's really the purpose of the college."

The CIED's entrepreneur incubator has helped 150 new companies get off the ground, including local companies Student Maid and Altavian, according to Lehman. She estimates the economic impact on the community to be in the millions.

College officials hope to have the facility completed and open by the spring of 2021, according to Liam McClay, assistant to the president for innovation and governmental affairs.

It will also be located in a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone. According to the IRS, an Opportunity Zone is an "economically-distressed community where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment."

"By sending grant funds to a Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone, the investment in rebuilding and expanding Santa Fe College's CIED facility will not only grow new business sectors including IT, technology and other knowledge-based industries, but also attract additional investment with special tax incentives," said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.

Saxum Real Estate (Austin, Texas) -- A mixed use development is being built in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

A more than 60,000 square foot mixed-use development is under construction at 1141 Shady Lane and expected to be completed sometime in mid- to late 2020.

The development is one of many going up in East Austin just off of Airport Boulevard.

Some people who live near Shady Lane say the neighborhoods in the area have drastically changed over the years.

...

This project sits in one of Austin's opportunity zones, which are part of a federal tax incentive provision that encourages investors to re-invest capital gains into Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds. The Opportunity Zone tax provision is not administered by the City of Austin.

Seaward Landing (Marathon, Florida) -- The company announced they are building rental units that will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Index Investment Group announces its newest development, Seaward Landing coming to construction completion in June 2020. The community consists of 45 multifamily workforce housing rental units situated on the Atlantic Ocean. The property is located at 8700 Overseas Highway in the heart of the Florida Keys, Maracthon. The project has received a lot of community interest and is projected to obtain a certificate of occupancy in June and commence pre-leasing in May.

Index acquired the property in late 2016 and held the property until it commenced construction of the project in late 2018. Located in an Certified Opportunity Zone on a 3-acre site in the heart of Marathon, adjacent to the Marathon International Airport, on US Highway 1 is well situated for locals living and working in the Keys. The development features a leasing office, 45 multifamily units made up of one, two and three-bedroom units with amenities including a dog park and play area, all within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean. -- May 5, 2020 Index Investment Group press release

Second Chance Farm (Wilmington, Delaware) -- A company focused on helping formerly incarcerated citizens get back into the workforce will be headed to Delaware and will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

First, you need to understand the Opportunity Zone Program, which was enacted as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

It’s an economic development program where census tracts are designated as eligible for tax breaks for private investors through a program called Opportunity Funds. The goal is to help under-resourced communities become more economically stable by creating jobs for the people who live there — or, as the IRS puts it in its FAQ: “Opportunity Zones are designed to spur economic development by providing tax benefits to investors.”

Opportunity Zones are basically an incentive for people to invest in areas that need it — something that, historically, has led to gentrification and displacement of the under-resourced people who were theoretically meant to benefit. (See a map of Delaware’s zones here.)

That’s why Second Chances Farm, an LLC founded by entrepreneur and TEDxWilmington organizer Ajit George, is an interesting concept — one that combines farming, jobs for local returning citizens and ultimately entrepreneurship opportunities that require neither capital nor credit.

“We call them ‘green collar” jobs,” said George in an interview with Technical.ly. “Green because it’s organic, it’s pesticide free, and it’s herbicide free. And it’s about growing food locally. This is not a hobby, this not a corner garden in the summer, it’s about growing food year round, on a production scale.”

So, how did the concept of Opportunity Zones, urban farming and ex-offenders come together? It was the result of two very different 2016 TEDxWilmington talks — one about reentry and recidivism, the other about farming of the future.

Employees — virtually all of whom will be formerly incarcerated — will run the farms with a starting pay of $15 an hour. As the company grows, the plan is for employees to eventually acquire farms of their own and become business owners (or “compassionate capitalists,” as Second Chances Farm calls them).

In contrast to downstate’s traditional outdoor crops, Second Chances Farm will be an indoor, LED-lit, vertical hydroponic farm that will operate year-round; the first farm’s location is yet to be determined

“There’s no soil, it’s all grown in continuously flowing water,” said George.

Vertical hydroponic farming has become increasingly popular over the last few years across the country — even Jeff Bezos has backed a hydroponic farming venture. Second Chances will likely be the first one in Delaware.

The for-profit venture is projected to have its first indoor farm up and running by the fall, pending a final clearance with the IRS. It’s already won a few awards and startup grants.

If placing a farm inside the city seems strange, consider the challenges the average ex-offender faces when trying to get to get a job — and how much easier it would be if $15-an-hour jobs were available right in the neighborhood.

In order to qualify to be placed in a job at Second Chance, inmates heading toward reentry will work with the behavior health and wellness program Connections during the final six months of their sentences.

“We are working with Connections, who currently have an exclusive contract with the Delaware Department of Corrections with regards to people re-entering society from Delaware’s Prisons,” said George. “Issues like anger management are beyond the scope of what we can do. They offer more social work, so it just made sense for us to work with them.”

Connections also has a transportation group that can help Second Chances Farm employees get to and from work, an issue for many looking for work after reentry, as drivers licenses are sometimes still suspended and getting car insurance can be a challenge.

The organic, hyperlocal vegetable crops will be sold to restaurants, organic farm stands and to cancer patients avoiding even the minimal amount of pesticides allowed in traditional organic mass farming.

“Delaware used to be known for three things — chicken, credit cards and cars,” said George. “What we’re really talking about is adding a new industry, which is organic hydroponic crops. And with that comes my notion, which is ‘compassionate capitalism,’ which is really providing opportunities for people.” -- February 27, 2019 Technical.ly article

Seokoh Inc. (Scott Township, Pennsylvania) -- A cosmetics company is building a facility in the Pennsylvania town that will create at least 280 jobs, in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A Scott Twp. cosmetics company is expected to soon break ground on a $27.9 million expansion that's estimated to create at least 280 new jobs in the next three years, a township official said Friday.

Carl Ferraro,township administrator, said officials with Seokoh Inc. advised him they want to begin excavation work before winter.

"The excavation end of it is going to be massive," he said. "I expect them to start any day now."

The company, a subsidiary of the integrated cosmetic and pharmaceutical company Kolmar Korea, plans to construct two roughly 200,000-square-foot buildings on property adjacent to its existing factory located on Life Science Drive in the Scott Technology Park.

"Our diverse workforce and central location make Pennsylvania a prime place to do business," Wolf said in a press release. "We are pleased to see Seokoh further grow its operations."

The company is a leading contract manufacturer and filler of premium cosmetics and personal care products. It employs about 290 people. In addition to the new facilities, Seokoh will renovate its existing plant and purchase new equipment.

State and local business officials helped entice the firm with several tax breaks, including an extension of Keystone Opportunity Zone benefits that provide temporary relief from certain state and local taxes through 2028. The Lakeland School District and Lackawanna County commissioners approved that extension last year. -- September 21, 2019 The Times-Tribune article

School of Science and Technology — Alamo campus(San Antonio, Texas) -- The charter school is expanding with a new location in Opportunity Zones created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Down the road will soon be a new School of Science and Technology — Alamo campus, according to Casey Development Ltd. The company and its construction arm Baxter Contracting LLC have broken ground on a 67,000-square-foot facility at the corner of North Weidner Road and Crosswinds Way, which will replace the current campus at 12200 Crownpoint Drive. Upon move-in, the campus will accommodate students from kindergarten through eighth grade and will eventually expand to high school. At full capacity, the campus will hold up to 700 students. The current campus holds 400.

Nancy Thompson, director of community outreach and communications for the School of Science and Technology, expects the new campus to be ready by Thanksgiving break of this year or no later than winter break. San Antonio is home to four of its campuses. Over the next five years, the school plans to add four more local campuses and 10 more statewide.

The project represents Casey Development's first venture into Opportunity Zone development. The company expects to continue developing within the Northeast San Antonio Opportunity Zone, with multifamily, retail and self-storage projects. -- June 12, 2019 San Antonio Business Journal article

“Although most of the discussed EOZ development has been on real estate, there are some investors interested in opportunity zone businesses.

Harry Wells, Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center at York College/CUNY and Demond Wilkerson, Asset Management Consultant for SBDC highlighted the importance of leveraging the local institutions to build business capacity while planning for sustainability.

SmithFly (Piqua, Ohio) -- The sporting company is moving locations and will now be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The Piqua Planning Commission on Tuesday approved special uses for businesses that are headed to Piqua, including Wright-Patt Credit Union, a new crossfit gym, and the fly-fishing equipment manufacturing business SmithFly.

The Planning Commission first approved a special use request allowing drive-thru kiosks at 1284 E. Ash St., where a Wright-Patt Credit Union is expected to fill the space currently occupied by the China Garden Buffet.

One of the applicants for this special use request said they will be purchasing and closing on the property in June and Wright-Patt is expected to be the new tenant for the site. The improvements on the site would happen around September.

“It certainly will be a nice addition," Community and Economic Development Director Chris Schmiesing said.

The Planning Commission also approved an indoor commercial recreation use located at the address 125 Bridge St., where a warehouse that is currently located at the site will be turned into a crossfit gym. According to the application, the gym will also house a sports training facility, physical therapy, massage therapy, and a smoothie bar.

City Planner Krysten French, in her staff report, described the crossfit gym as providing a “better buffer" in the area between the mix of industrial and residential land uses that is currently there.

Schmiesing said it is becoming “more and more difficult" to re-purpose sites like these warehouses, so the crossfit gym will “put it to good use."

The Planning Commission then approved a custom manufacturing and retail space in the Central Business District located at the address 124 N. Main St., where SmithFly is looking to relocate. SmithFly designs and builds fly-fishing rafts and equipment, as well as inflatables. SmithFly is currently located 210 E. Water St. in Troy, is looking at purchasing and moving to a 10,000 square foot site located at the North Main Street location in Piqua, which is also located in Piqua's Opportunity Zone. -- April 15, 2020 Piqua Daily Call article

Southern Properties LLC (Memphis, Tennessee) -- The company will be building 247 apartment units and 72 single-family homes in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Bob Turner's plan to build a mixed-use community for seniors in Millington vanished with the Great Recession.

But now, with the federal government investing $30 million into a huge park nearby, Turner is planning a development that would include 247 apartments and 72 single-family homes on the same piece of land.

The federal investment comes as part of the $60 million in disaster resiliency funds Shelby County was awarded in 2016. It is meant to prevent a repeat of the floods in 2010 and 2011 that caused $79 million in property damages in Millington, according to the Shelby County Resilience Council.

Though the park project — which will include greenway trails, walking paths, and athletic fields — isn't set be completed until September 2022, Turner said it's already having a major impact.

"When the resilient project came in … you could just feel the change in the town," Turner said. "There’s exciting stuff going on in Millington. … There are several new developments planned."

Turner has sold the single-family lots to builders, who plan to sell the homes for about $200,000.

He is still seeking investors for the garden-style apartments. But, the federal government has also helped him out with this. Turner's project is in an Opportunity Zone, meaning it can provide tax benefits to investors. -- September 24, 2019 Memphis Business Journal article

Staley Point Capital (Los Angeles, California) -- The company is creating a self-storage facility in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

For its first project, Staley Point Capital wants to demolish a 21,000-square-foot South Los Angeles light manufacturing complex it acquired last month and replace it with a sprawling “state of the art” self-storage facility, according to records filed with the Los Angeles City Planning Department.

Century City-based Staley Point is a new venture formed by Kevin Staley — who co-founded the Magellan Group — and his son, Eric, who recently left Blackstone Group, Eric Staley said.

In December, the investment firm paid $7.35 million for the site located at West 25th Street and Broadway. It plans to replace the existing structures with a 109,000-square-foot storage facility featuring 24-hour digital surveillance and controlled access.

“... the 10-story development will be anchored by a pre-K through eighth grade school, run by Zeta Charter Schools. The building will include office space for a non-profit and ground-floor retail….

The facility will have modern finishes, state-of-the-art classrooms, a double-height gym, floor-to-ceiling windows, open plan offices and more than 11,000 square feet of outdoor space...

“The Bronx is New York City’s fastest growing borough and we see continued opportunity to help bring new investment in the services, schools, office space and retail that have long contributed to the Bronx being such a vibrant community,” says Anthony Balestrieri, SVP and leader of Starwood Capital Group’s Opportunity Zone investment strategy.” -- May 10th, 2019, Globe St.

Starwood Capital Group Texas (Austin, Texas) -- The company is building an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Starwood Capital Group, a global private investment firm focused on real estate and energy investments, has announced that a controlled affiliate has reached an agreement to acquire and develop a 342-unit garden-style multifamily project in East Austin, Texas, the company said.

Starwood expects to complete the Opportunity Zone development by Spring 2020.

East Austin is one of Austin's fastest growing submarkets and, with significant recent development driven by an influx of young professionals, has transformed into one of the region's most desirable neighborhoods. Centrally located at 500 US Highway 183 S., within close proximity to Austin's central business district (CBD), entertainment district and international airport, the development is one of the few sites in East Austin that can accommodate garden-style apartments, which mimic single-family living and are in high demand from prospective tenants.

Standard Companies (Savannah, Georgia) -- The company is building an apartment complex that will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A new multi-family housing development will soon transform the corner of Liberty and East Broad Streets, inside one of Savannah’s designated Federal Opportunity Zones.

Savannah’s three zones, which were created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act aim to spur investment in distressed communities throughout the country, were designated in 2018.

“We pride ourselves and focus on creating communities in both the physical and the social sense by finding ways to improve urban areas and revitalize them and bring them into their next phase as responsible stewards, which is exactly what we are hoping to do in Savannah,” said Steven Kahn, director for California-based Standard Companies, which will develop approximately 215 residential units at 601 Liberty St.

Standard’s plans call for a five-story building with a mixture of multi-family units, that will be market-rate driven and plans for commercial space on the property are still being flushed out, according to Tommy Attridge, director, southeast production for Standard.

An exact ground breaking date has not been announced and Standard declined to disclose a total investment cost.

“We’re still finalizing our design, but we’re eager to get started,” Attridge said.

The site, which is just under two acres, was previously owned by the City of Savannah. After putting out a public request for proposals in 2018, the city approved the sale of the site to Standard for $5.9 million in Aug. 2018. The Metropolitan Planning Commission approved the new construction plan in April 2019 and the sale of the property was finalized Dec. 2019.

The property also includes an existing building, which was built in 1927 as offices for the Atlantic Coastal Line Railroad. It previously housed the Catholic Diocese of Savannah before the city purchased the property for $3.5 million in 2015 with plans to renovate the structure to relocate several downtown departments. --January 31, 2020 Savannah Now article

Stoneleigh Companies LLC (St. Paul, Minnesota) -- The company is building a apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Stoneleigh Companies LLC announces the acquisition of 10.71 acres of land planned for the construction of the 242-unit Waterford Bay Apartments located in the Saint Paul Opportunity Zone segment. Waterford Bay is one of the first Opportunity Zone projects in St. Paul.

Waterford Bay will offer luxury apartments in a prime location on the Mississippi River. The development aims to leverage the natural aesthetics of the Mississippi River Valley and nearby downtown Saint Paul into an attractive housing community through connectivity and integration of public/private spaces. The development is planning public access to the river with the addition of a kayak/small boat launch and expanding the regional bike/walking path trail system through the site. A portion of the land will be dedicated to the city for park space along the riverfront, accessible to the public by the extension of the bike/walking path. -- July 23, 2019 Cantify Investment News article

Studio LP (Austin, Texas) -- Developers are building office space in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A year after it was first discussed publicly, a 62,000-square-foot creative office in East Austin is close to breaking ground — and the developers claim it will be the city’s first ground-up development to use a qualified opportunity fund, a widely watched but little understood federal program designed to spur investment in low-income areas.

...

Construction on the office building at 1141 Shady Lane in the ThinkEast master-planned development is set to start in July.

A modern, three-story building designed by architecture firm Bercy Chen Studio LP will be the focal point of the development from Austin-based PlaceMKR and New Jersey-based Saxum Real Estate.

A 1920s-era house reminiscent of the bungalows on Rainey Street sits next to the office building and will be preserved — and then renovated and turned into a restaurant. There will also be a 9,000-square-foot outdoor courtyard around the property, according to brokerage firm Newmark Knight Frank, who represented the buyers in the transaction.

“This is an extremely beneficial project for the progress of East Austin,” Weber said.

Opportunity zones were designed to spur investment in low-income census tracts. They also offer significant tax cuts and deferrals for those who invest in projects in the zones — up to 15 percent of capital gains invested can be exempted from taxes, if investors keep their money in the zone for at least seven years. Read more about the rules here.

It’s not just the real estate investors that will receive tax benefits from investing in 1141 Shady Lane. Tenants of the new building, especially startups raising capital, could be eligible for benefits as long as most of their assets and gross income is derived from that location in the opportunity zone — and if their backers’ investment comes from capital gains. -- June 20, 2019 Austin Business Journal article

Stillman College (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) – The college was able to build a 125 room hotel that will serve as a teaching center for the school's hospitality program because of the Opportunity Zones.

“In July, Stillman College signed a memorandum of understanding with partners in a project to build a 125-room hotel on the college campus to serve as a teaching center for the school’s hospitality management program. Included in the project is mixed-use residential and commercial space, including market-rate housing for faculty, graduate students and others. The hotel would be operated by HDG Hotels of Ocala, Fla., in partnership with Stillman...

The plan is for the hotel to be sold back to Stillman College for its long-term use at the end of a holding period, with the cash flowing back to the college...

Robert Jenkins, senior managing director for Renaissance HBCU Opportunity Fund, said the Stillman project is consistent with other projects being assembled in OZs, which usually involve some mixed-use development involving retail and housing. Stillman would not be happening without opportunity zones, he said.

“You’re attracting equity to a lower income neighborhood in a tertiary city,” Jenkins said. “As much as I like Tuscaloosa, it’s not Washington, it’s not L.A., it’s not Atlanta.” In addition, graduates of the program will not only have the ability to hold jobs in the hospitality field, but will have executive and entrepreneurial skills developed by the program, he said.” – September 15th, 2019, Alabama (AL.com)

Stonewall Capital (Baltimore, Maryland) -- The company is building an industrial park in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The ambitious, $700 million development of hundreds of acres in Elkton is nearing a start despite the novel coronavirus pandemic, the project's developer said on Monday.

"Obviously the project has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic," said Ray Jackson, principal of Monkton-based Stonewall Capital, the lead equity partner in the project. "But we’ve been doing everything through teleconferencing and we do have some on-site work going on now. My partners and I are very bullish."

Southfields of Elkton will hold a 250-acre, 3-million-square-foot industrial park near Route 40, built by developer Trammell Crow, that will break ground in the late fall and is expected to open in mid-2021. The project will also have more than 850 residential units, with single-family homes priced between $250,000 and $375,000.

The 650-acre mixed-use Southfields of Elkton project was proposed in July and is expected to bring 1,000 new jobs and a huge boost to the tax base of the small town of Elkton and Cecil County.

The Town of Elkton approved the project's planned unit development on March 9, and permitting is ongoing. It will be located near the Maryland-Delaware line and is the latest evolution in the rural county that is expanding with industrial, residential and entertainment projects.

Also included is 250,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, much of it near the Elk River. A 50-acre sports complex with several playing fields and green space is also planned.

Jackson said the project remains on track despite the ongoing pandemic. He said site work is expected to begin in the fall and development will start shortly after that.

"We're not stopping," he said. "My team includes multiple professional organizations and they have taken extra precautions to safeguard their employees. This has actually shown me how people can work together as a team toward a common goal, and I have been inspired by the efforts of all involved."

Chris Moyer, director of Cecil County's Office of Economic Development, said the project is located in a state opportunity zone, which will offer tax breaks for job creation. Trammel Crow is investing about $250 million into the industrial park, expected to be an e-commerce logistics center. -- March 30, 2020, Baltimore Business Journal Article.

Banyan Residential (Scottsdale, Arizona) -- The company is revitalizing a vacant lot with apartments, retail, and office space which will be located on a Opportunity Zone, created by the 2017 GOP tax cut:

Banyan Residential announced the start of construction on the long-anticipated Scottsdale Entrada development this morning. Located at the northeast corner of 64th Street and McDowell Road, Scottsdale Entrada will revitalize a long vacant 33-acre lot with a vibrant mixed-use campus, including 736 apartment units, 250,000 square feet of office space, 5,000 square feet of retail and ample public open space. The project is located in an Opportunity Zone, part of a revitalization program formed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and will be developed with program-compliant funding.

"Because of its central location and proximity to Phoenix, this project is critical to the economic prosperity and urban renaissance of the area and surrounding neighborhoods," said Mayor Lane. "As the name conveys, this is a major entry point to Scottsdale. We are very excited for construction to start." -- March 27, 2020 Vertical News article

Sortis Holdings Inc. (Tukwila, Washington) -- The company announced it is building a mixed income senior living development located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Sortis Holdings Inc. (SOHI), a Portland, Oregon-based private equity firm, closed on equity funding for Tukwila Village Phase II, a mixed income senior living development in Tukwila, Washington. Sortis invested capital from its $100 million Sortis Opportunity Zone Fund alongside project sponsor Bryan Park, a Puyallup-based developer who has developed, owns and operates more than 5,000 senior living apartments in Washington. The completed project will be operated by Sustainable Housing for Ageless Generations, or SHAG, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

“By 2050, the population of individuals who are 65 and older in the U.S. is projected to double, yet rising rents and lack of supply have reduced the availability of affordable, high-quality housing in desirable locations for this population,” said Paul Brenneke, Sortis founder. “We believe delivering a high-quality project with attractive investment returns while simultaneously providing an affordable housing option to low-income seniors is a win-win.” -- August 29, 2019 Bushiness Wire article

Taplin Development Corp. (Hallandale Beach, Florida) -- The company is building 320 apartment units, a 120 key hotel, and retail stores in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A high-rise apartment and hotel project is planned for an Opportunity Zone in Hallandale Beach.

Taplin Development Corp., led by Jack Taplin, received approval from the city to build 320 apartments and a 120-key hotel with a retail component across from Gulfstream Park, according to a release. The project will be called the Falls at Gulfstream and the property will consist of a 23-story building at 900 South Federal Highway.

The Class A property will have a rooftop bar overlooking the finish line at Gulfstream Park. The property is also adjacent to the Village at Gulfstream Park, an upscale shopping center.

The federal Opportunity Zone program allows developers and investors to receive a tax incentive if they invest in one of the more than 8,700 zones throughout the country. The program was designed to encourage investment in low-income and distressed areas, but has come under scrutiny as a tax break for wealthy developers.

TCG Group (Wichita, Kansas) -- A hotel group is putting up a Hom2 Suites by Hilton that will be located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

GC Group has selected a hotel flag for the Delano catalyst site -- a 95-room Home2 Suites by Hilton -- but president Nick Esterline says it's even more significant that this is his company's second major Opportunity Zone project.

"Although there's a lot of hype about these deals, they're really difficult to get done," he says. "They're big projects."

Opportunity Zones are areas the federal government identifies as needing development and then defers taxes for investors who do work there.

With TGC's planned $21 million building at Douglas and Emporia downtown and this $12.5 million hotel, Esterline says he guesses that "we've certainly closed the most in Opportunity Zoneprojects in Wichita" and possibly the state.

"For us, selfishly, it's pretty special to say we did 'em," he says. "Not to say there won't be others that are larger."

"One of the president’s guests for the speech, the senior administration official noted, would be Tony Rankins — a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and became addicted to drugs, before getting clean and eventually getting a job in one of the Opportunity Zones created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in Cincinnati.

Rankins’ hometown paper, the Cincinnati Enquirer, has more on him and his job with R Investments, described as a Denver company that does development work in Cincinnati and trained Rankins in carpentry and other skills." -- February 3, 2020, Politico.

TradeMark Properties (Raleigh, North Carolina) -- The company is building a soccer stadium in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Raleigh developer John Kane, who spearheaded the resurrection of North Hills and the Warehouse District, teamed with local soccer leader Steve Malik and TradeMark Properties owner Billie Redmond Monday evening to unveil his next target: what the group is calling "Downtown South" in a project even bigger in scope than originally anticipated.

Kane, Redmond and Malik will be at a news conference Tuesday morning at The Dillon, debuting plans for a 20,000-seat soccer stadium that would serve as the hub for a sprawling district that would include hotels and residential and retail units.

...

The site is in an Opportunity Zone, a big incentive for investors. The Opportunity Zones were created with the tax changes in 2017 and give investors significant tax breaks for investing in areas that have been traditionally underserved. -- June 25, 2019 Triangle Business Journal article

TWG Development (Seymour, Indiana) -- The company is building an affordable apartment complex that will be located on a Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A developer is taking steps to build a 54-unit apartment complex in Seymour in an effort to provide more affordable housing and attract more workers to fill available jobs at businesses.

The proposed three-story building will consist of two- and three-bedroom units and target families making an annual salary of $30,000 to $40,000, said Sam Rogers with TWG Development in Indianapolis.

Rogers provided details about the $9.7 million project, including its location, to city officials during a city council meeting Monday night.

The apartments are to be built in a vacant grassy lot along Miller Lane behind the Poynter Ford auto dealership. The property is located in Seymour's Opportunity Zone, which is a federally designated area targeting low-income areas for development. -- July 24, 2019, The Tribune Article.

Unico Properties (Tacoma, Washington) -- The company is creating an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A controversial federal tax break is fueling the transformation of a historic downtown Tacoma office into apartments where residents will be able to enjoy a unique amenity: A basement bank vault, preserved from the days when the 18-story building was home to the Scandinavian American Bank.

When it was built in 1925, the twin-towered Washington Building was the second-tallest in the Pacific Northwest, after the 42-story Smith Tower. But by the time Seattle-based Unico Properties purchased the building in 2017, it was sparsely occupied and behind on needed repairs.

The company immediately announced plans to convert the building, four blocks north of the Museum of Glass, into 150 residential units.

Over the past two years, though, ballooning construction costs put a crimp in Unico’s plans for the adaptive-reuse project. Seattle-area construction expenses rose by nearly 14% in that period, according to the Mortenson Construction Cost Index.

Enter opportunity zone (OZ) financing.

Much of Tacoma has been declared eligible for opportunity zone tax breaks, a federal program signed into law at the end of 2017 allowing investors to shelter capital gains for up to 10 years by investing in projects in some low-income census tracts.

URS Capital Partners (Charlotte, North Carolina) -- The company is building an apartment complex in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

URS has been active in the last year or so. The company sold three apartment communities in Georgia and one in Cincinnati for a combined $67.8 million. The first building in its 256-unit Latitude South Portland rental complex in Portland, Maine is slated to open in September. URS bought the 7.19-acre site, located in an Opportunity Zone, for $8 million and began construction on the $45 million project last spring. -- May 1, 2020 Long Island Business News article

US-Offsite (Anderson, California) -- The modular construction manufacturer is building a new plant and will create 100 jobs in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A modular construction manufacturer has picked Anderson to build its first plant, and the company vows to hire approximately 100 people when it opens early next year.

US-Offsite is a volumetric building company that will make prefabricated cubes for multi-family and commercial projects, such as apartments, hotels and student housing. The cubes will be built in Anderson and then shipped to project sites from Seattle to San Diego, company co-founder Dan Ferreira said.

"We are taking an entire multi-family structure up to five stories, we slice the structure into cubes, we fully build the cubes in the plant down to finishes, paint, fixtures and then we ship the cubes to the site where they are assembled like Legos," said Ferreira, who envisions his company helping California's housing shortage.

Building this way can cut in half the time for vertical construction, and there also is a cost savings, he said. Moreover, the developer or contractor doesn't have to worry about supply chain issues, which Ferreira said is more critical amid the coronavirus crisis.

...

The Industry Road site also is in an opportunity zone, a program that is part of the 2018 federal tax overhaul. The zones are meant to create tax benefits in designated areas to spur economic development and create jobs. -- May 3, 2020, Record Searchlight article

Velocity Companies (Greenbelt, Maryland) -- The company is building a business center that will host a grocery store, smokehouse, apartments, and more, located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Construction is about to get underway on a $250 million Prince George's County development that is expected to bring more than 500,000 square feet of mixed-use to Capitol Heights.

Hampton Park, the redevelopment of the 25-acre Hampton Mall, will include a $35 million, 115,000-square-foot office building slated to house the Prince George's County departments of Health and Human Services, Veteran Affairs and Family Services. That building will also house a 17,000-square-foot senior day center.

...

The project has received numerous federal, state and county designations that should its ease path to viability. It has been designated part of Maryland's Sustainable Communities, as a Primary Investment District and, most recently, as an opportunity zone. -- September 27, 2019 Washington Business Journal article

“...I was a part of the first one (opportunity zone development) in the United States,” Flaggs said. “They asked me to speak about Vicksburg; its progress and why the opportunity zone worked for us and how it can be a model for the country.”

Vicksburg has three opportunity zones, “And we’re going to make every effort to utilize them,” Flaggs said. The Forestland Group, which bought Anderson-Tully in 2006, announced earlier in 2018 that it was closing the mill — a move affecting the 158 workers at the plant.

Jackson-based Vicksburg Forest Products LLC, the parent company of Vicksburg Forest Products, was able to take advantage of opportunity zone funding and bought the Anderson-Tully mill operation in June 2018, saving 125 jobs...

He said another opportunity zone includes the Mississippi Hardware building, which is being converted into the Mississippi Center for Innovation & Technology, an innovation and tech transfer center to serve the Vicksburg area and the entire central Mississippi region.” – October 3rd, 2019, The Vicksburg Post

VITA Development Group (Kodak, Tennessee) -- The company is building a multifamily property in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. announced today that it arranged a $21,086,700 construction loan for Kodak Crossing in Kodak, Tennessee. The new multifamily property is being developed by longtime client VITA Development Group, Inc., and will be located within the bounds of Sevier County, one of Tennessee's designated opportunity zone census tracts. The transaction represents one of the first opportunity properties financed with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Established by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, opportunity zones are a new, nationwide community investment tool that encourages long-term investments in designated low-income areas. Under this program, investors and developers who place unrealized capital gains into dedicated opportunity funds are eligible to receive incentives in the form of lower or deferred capital gains taxes.

Led by Managing Directors Keith Melton and David Strange, Walker & Dunlop arranged the loan through HUD's 221(d)(4) new construction program, which includes both construction and permanent financing in a single loan and mitigates interest rate risk for the developer. The program is also an ideal financing structure to take advantage of opportunity zone benefits, which requires that the developer holds the asset for a minimum of ten years. HUD has also begun prioritizing and offering lower fees for opportunity zone projects. The team worked closely with VITA Development to ensure the terms of the financing were consistent with opportunity zone guidance, securing a two-year construction term followed by a 40-year, fully amortizing, fixed-rate loan. -- June 6, 2019 Contify Banking News article

Virtua Partners (Virtua), a global private-equity real-estate investment firm, today announced the launch of the first-ever Opportunity Zone Fund. This groundbreaking fund is the first vehicle designed to invest in the newly created Opportunity Zones -- one of the lesser known provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Tax Reform Act). Virtua Opportunity Zone Fund I, LLC aims to raise $200 million and is designed to utilize the tax-savings opportunities created by the tax-reform law. - June 20, 2018 Virtua Partners press release

Voi Inc.(Springfield, Vermont) -- The artificial intelligence company was able to open a location because of a grant that was made possible by the TCJA Opportunity Zones:

SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) will be getting a new manufacturing neighbor dedicated to artificial intelligence behavioral technology inside the former Park Street School.

With the help of a grant from the Center on Rural Innovation, Voi Incorporated will be located adjacent to the Black River Innovation Campus.

..

"According to Calvelli, the Center on Rural Innovation Fund seeks to fund economic growth in rural communities while making connections with technology based companies to provide jobs for economically depressed areas.

"The Center on Rural Innovation Fund invests in growth businesses located in qualified Opportunity Zones in the United States to enhance economic growth and job creation in small communities. The fund seeks to find attractive technology-enabled operating businesses in rural geographies, which are under-served by traditional venture capital institutions," Calvelli said. "The Center on Rural Innovation Fund identifies, funds, and supports the best tech entrepreneurs American small towns have to offer." -- February 28, 2020 Argus-Champion.

Washington Property Company (Silver Spring, Maryland) -- The company has announced they are building an apartment complex located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

Washington Property Company has broken ground for Solaire 8200 Dixon, a 403-unit, 26-story apartment tower in the Ripley District of downtown Silver Spring, MD. Clark Construction Company is on track to deliver the first apartments in mid-2022.WPC has partnered with the Cresset-Diversified QOZ Fund to provide equity for the project. This fund is a joint venture between Cresset Partners and Diversified Real Estate Capital, both of Chicago, which earlier this year closed a $470 million fund to invest in real estate projects located in Qualified Opportunity Zones. Solaire 8200 Dixon is one of the seven projects included in the fund. -- April 29, 2020 Yield Pro article

Walker & Dunlop Inc. (Birmingham, Alabama) -- The commercial real estate finance company announced they would be building a new apartment complex located in an opportunity zone:

Walker & Dunlop has structured $51.9 million in financing for ECLIPSE at CityCentre, a five-story, 278-unit, multifamily project here. Located in Huntsville’s Downtown area, the property is within the bounds of a designated opportunity zone census tract. --March 17, 2020 GlobeSt.Com article

White Lotus Group (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) -- The company announced that they will be building 100 affordable apartments located in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

The former Fletcher School property near Northridge Mall in Milwaukee could be sold to developer White Lotus Group for 100 new affordable apartments and community spaces for local social service groups including the YMCA. White Lotus Group, based in Omaha, Nebraska, expects the project will cost $28 million, according to a city of Milwaukee report on the proposed property sale. The one-story school at 9500 W. Allyn St. has been vacant since 2009. The city would sell it for $500,000.

White Lotus has a “special affinity” for rehabbing vacant former schools into housing, and is exploring multiple opportunities to do that in Milwaukee, said Scott Henry, executive vice president of development in the company’s Chicago office.

“The real estate tends to be good, the buildings tend to be built well and solidly and they are beloved properties in the community that people want to see saved,” he said. White Lotus would build three vertical floors on top of the existing Fletcher school for a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The first floor would have about 70,000 square feet of community space dedicated for local social-service organizations. Those organizations could provide financial literacy training, or help people find jobs, for example, Henry said.

Potential partners for that space are the YMCA, Social Development Commission and CrossWay Church, according to the city report. The apartments would be for people making 50% to 80% of the area’s median income level, Henry said. It would become a modern housing option for people in the local workforce, he said. White Lotus must secure low-income housing tax credits to finance the development. It would apply in December to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority to compete for them. If White Lotus succeeds in winning the credits, it would buy Fletcher School in August 2020.

Evers reveals businesses allowed to operate under Safer at Home order Businesses allowed to operate under the Safer at Home order include banks and health care operations COMING EVENT Power Breakfast June 19 White Lotus plans to use other public financing mechanisms to pay for the project. Those include the federal Opportunity Zone program, Henry said. The federal Opportunity Zone program offers tax breaks to investors who put money received from capital gains into developments in low-income areas. White Lotus usually works with larger corporations seeking to invest multimillion-dollar sums through the Opportunity Zone program. While that financing would be available for Fletcher School, Henry said there’s also room for local investors who may want to participate. --November 11, 2019 Milwaukee Business Journal article

Winco Fireworks (Kansas City, Missouri) -- The fireworks company moved its warehouse to a new location in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

...........

Michael Collar’s company was in the right place at the right time.

Winco Fireworks International LLC had made a nice capital gain on a real estate sale in another division. A year and a half earlier, Winco had moved its warehouse to Grandview in an area that would become an Opportunity Zone.

Collar, president of Winco, said it suddenly made sense for the company to relocate its headquarters to the area, investing its capital gain in its growth while bringing jobs to the area.

“When we move to a community, we really like to invest in that community,” he said.

Woodlawn Theatre (Birmingham, Alabama) -- A local resident plans to turn the theater into something that can be used to give to the community, made possible because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Opportunity Zone program:

Will Mason plans to turn the former Woodlawn Theatre into a music teaching and performance hub, but the project might be more transformative than just revenue and revitalization. A federal program that gives capital gains tax breaks for investments made in economically distressed areas is funding the project at 5503 1st Avenue North in Woodlawn, a neighborhood just east of downtown Birmingham.

The space will be both a business and provide a community service—affordable music lessons. His lesson business, Mason Music, offers lessons for as low as $10 per month through the nonprofit Mason Music Foundation. “It’s about creative community, revitalizing places and giving hope. It’s giving children a pathway they can love for the rest of their life. You can’t quantify any of that. When you talk about community revitalization, that’s the stuff that makes the difference,” said Alex Flaschbart, CEO of Opportunity Alabama. Opportunity Alabama (OPAL) is a nonprofit that connects OZ funds with projects, collects some data about OZ projects in Alabama, and wants to track how the projects impact the community. Flaschbart said he expects the theatre to create about 25 jobs, including two full-time managers. Backers hope the Woodlawn Theatre’s impact could be more profound than jobs and investment by bringing an accessible music experience and gathering place to the community. Mason says he wants to incorporate community events during the week and hold larger concerts and events on the weekend. Also, he’s considering a weekly movie night and open microphone type events where people could see a show and have a drink for $10 to $15." -- February 29, 2020 AL.Com article

Woodfield Investments (Charleston, South Carolina) -- The investment company is building a 388-unit apartment community in downtown Charleston in an Opportunity Zone created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

A joint venture of Woodfield Investments and Argosy Real Estate Partners has received a $100.6 million senior loan from PCCP for the development of Morrison Yard, a 380-unit community in a qualified opportunity zone in downtown Charleston, S.C. At the same time, Argosy Real Estate Partners provided $27.8 million in equity financing for the same project. Phillips Realty Capital structured the joint venture equity investment on behalf of Woodfield Investment.

Located at 838 Morrison Drive on a former State Ports Authority site, the development is on the Charleston Peninsula, in an emerging area known as North of Morrison. This former industrial zone is being revitalized through several mixed-use projects. Recently, a 231-unit project that broke ground in mid-2018, was completed in the area.

Construction has already begun on Morrison Yard, which will include 25,960 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, a 10-story building and a six-story structure. Plans also call for a shared two-level parking garage. The upcoming property is slated to include 72 studios, 164 one-, 132 two- and 12 three-bedroom units, averaging 960 square feet. Additionally, the project will also feature green space across eight courtyards, a two-level lobby, a clubhouse, a 3,300-square-foot fitness center, a business center, a media room, event space, a rooftop pool and multiple grilling areas.

According to PCCP, the Charleston region has a population of 787,643 residents and a tight unemployment rate of 2.5 percent. Several employers in the tourism, military, aerospace and technology sectors will be easily accessible from Morrison Yard, when completed in 2022. --January 20, 2020 Multi-Housing News article

"The heads of all agencies shall review any regulatory standards they have temporarily rescinded, suspended, modified, or waived during the public health emergency, any such actions they take pursuant to section 4 of this order, and other regulatory flexibilities they have implemented in response to COVID-19, whether before or after issuance of this order, and determine which, if any, would promote economic recovery if made permanent, insofar as doing so is consistent with the policy considerations identified in section 1 of this order, and report the results of such review to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy." - The White House (5/19/2020)

"The heads of all agencies shall identify regulatory standards that may inhibit economic recovery and shall consider taking appropriate action, consistent with applicable law, including by issuing proposed rules as necessary, to temporarily or permanently rescind, modify, waive, or exempt persons or entities from those requirements, and to consider exercising appropriate temporary enforcement discretion or appropriate temporary extensions of time as provided for in enforceable agreements with respect to those requirements, for the purpose of promoting job creation and economic growth, insofar as doing so is consistent with the law and with the policy considerations identified in section 1 of this order." - The White House (5/19/2020)

"The heads of all agencies, excluding the Department of Justice, shall accelerate procedures by which a regulated person or entity may receive a pre-enforcement ruling under Executive Order 13892 with respect to whether proposed conduct in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including any response to legislative or executive economic stimulus actions, is consistent with statutes and regulations administered by the agency, insofar as doing so is consistent with the law and with the policy considerations identified in section 1 of this order." - The White House (5/19/2020)

"The FDA will allow states to take responsibility for tests developed and used by laboratories within their borders. The labs will not have to pursue Emergency Use Authorization from the agency, an emergency clearance that is normally required." - STAT News (3/16/20)

"Under certain circumstances, the agency will not object to any manufacturers that distribute newly developed tests before the FDA grants emergency clearance, and a similar stance will be taken toward labs that use these new tests." - STAT News (3/16/20)

"The EPA will exercise the enforcement discretion specified below for noncompliance covered by this temporary policy and resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic...

The consequences of the pandemic may affect facility operations and the availability of key staff and contractors and the ability of laboratories to timely analyze samples and provide results. As a result, there may be constraints on the ability of a facility or laboratory to carry out certain activities required by our federal environmental permits, regulations, and statutes. These consequences may affect reporting obligations and milestones set forth in settlements and consent decrees. Finally, these consequences may affect the ability of an operation to meet enforceable limitations on air emissions and water discharges, requirements for the management of hazardous waste, or requirements to ensure and provide safe drinking water... The enforcement discretion described in this temporary policy do not apply to any criminal violations or conditions of probation in criminal sentences. Appropriate consideration of potential criminal liability is discussed separately." - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (3/26/20)

"We continue to provide the opportunity for interested developers to request FDA authorization through the emergency use authorization (EUA) process. To date, we have already issued four EUAs for serological tests, and we expect that number to continue to grow in the coming weeks." - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (4/18/20)

"The administration removed a regulation that required all test kits to be sent to a CDC lab to be confirmed by federal authorities, a process that extended the wait times for patients to be notified about their results." - Washington Examiner (3/13/20)

The "requirements that physicians or other health care professionals hold licenses in the State in which they provide services, if they have an equivalent license from another State (and are not affirmatively barred from practice in that State or any State a part of which is included in the emergency area)" are being waived. - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (3/13/20)

"TSA is allowing passengers to bring liquid hand sanitizer containers up to 12 ounces in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect that these containers larger than the standard allowance of 3.4 ounces of liquids permitted through a checkpoint will need to be screened separately..." - Transportation Security Administration (3/13/20)

In order to allow patients to more easily communicate with their providers, the Administration loosened the HIPAA requirements surrounding telemedicine. This important change allows doctors to see patients via commonly used apps like FaceTime and Skype that were previously non-HIPAA compliant. - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (3/17/20)

"HHS Secretary Alex Azar waive certain laws to expand the use of telehealth, which public health experts say can help reduce risk of transmission. The new order appears to let Azar waive federal licensing requirements so out-of-state doctors can treat patients virtually in states with the greatest need." - Politico (3/13/20)

The Department of Education has moved to ease rules on colleges and universities who are shifting their classes online. There are a collection of rules being eased, not enforced. - Office of Postsecondary Education (3/5/20)

"Due to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Acting Administrator of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has found that it is necessary or desirable to waive provisions of internal revenue law with regard to distilled spirits, and therefore is providing certain exemptions and authorizations to distilled spirits permittees who wish to produce ethanol-based hand sanitizers to address the demand for such products during this emergency." - Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (3/18/20)

"Faster, Easier Qualification Process for States Seeking SBA Disaster Assistance. Historically, the SBA has required that any state or territory impacted by disaster provide documentation certifying that at least five small businesses have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of a disaster, with at least one business located in each declared county/parish. Under the just-released, revised criteria, states or territories are only required to certify that at least five small businesses within the state/territory have suffered substantial economic injury, regardless of where those businesses are located." - Small Business Administration (3/17/20)

The Trump Administration has extended the tax deadline to allow more flexibility in filing during this chaotic time. Americans for Tax Reform still recommends that taxpayers file their returns as soon as possible. Most taxpayers get refunds, in total amounting to about $50B in refunds that could be injected into the economy now. Taxpayers should be encouraged to file their returns as soon as possible to get refunds NOW to help them recover.

"Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due." - Internal Revenue Service (3/18/20)

"First, the guidance describes the agency’s intention to exercise enforcement discretion for certain modifications to these FDA-cleared devices. Normally, any time a manufacturer or user makes a modification to a ventilator device, for instance, adding wireless and/or Bluetooth capability for remote monitoring, those modifications can often trigger an FDA premarket review, which can delay the time it takes to get these devices to the bedside. The guidance also helps manufacturers ramp up their manufacturing by adding production lines or alternative sites, for instance, using non-medical device manufacturers such as automobile manufacturers, to start manufacturing ventilator parts....Second, as outlined in this guidance, hospitals and health care professionals may use ventilators intended for other environments... Finally, the agency encourages manufacturers, whether foreign or domestic, to talk to FDA about pursuing an emergency use authorization (EUA), which would allow them to distribute their ventilators in the United States." - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (3/22/20)

"Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gave Puerto Rico and other territories the discretion to acquire personal protective equipment from non-U.S. sources… Previously, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia were obliged to purchase only U.S.-made personal protective equipment in accordance with the Buy American Act." - Reason (3/24/20)

"The 60-day grant of special temporary authority (STA) for use of the lower 45 MHz of the band is to help them serve rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FCC said the grants will help with telehealth, distance learning and telework in rural communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia." - Multichannel News (3/27/20)

"CMS will allow communities to take advantage of local ambulatory surgery centers that have canceled elective surgeries, per federal recommendations. Surgery centers can contract with local healthcare systems to provide hospital services, or they can enroll and bill as hospitals during the emergency declaration as long as they are not inconsistent with their State’s Emergency Preparedness or Pandemic Plan. The new flexibilities will also leverage these types of sites to decant services typically provided by hospitals such as cancer procedures, trauma surgeries and other essential surgeries." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS will now temporarily permit non-hospital buildings and spaces to be used for patient care and quarantine sites, provided that the location is approved by the State and ensures the safety and comfort of patients and staff. This will expand the capacity of communities to develop a system of care that safely treats patients without COVID-19, and isolate and treat patients with COVID-19." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS will allow hospitals, laboratories, and other entities to perform tests for COVID-19 on people at home and in other community-based settings outside of the hospital. This will both increase access to testing and reduce risks of exposure. The new guidance allows healthcare systems, hospitals, and communities to set up testing sites exclusively for the purpose of identifying COVID-19-positive patients in a safe environment. In addition, CMS will allow hospital emergency departments to test and screen patients for COVID-19 at drive-through and off-campus test sites." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"Physician-owned hospitals can temporarily increase the number of their licensed beds, operating rooms, and procedure rooms. For example, a physician-owned hospital may temporarily convert observation beds to inpatient beds to accommodate patient surge during the public health emergency." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"In addition, hospitals can bill for services provided outside their four walls. Emergency departments of hospitals can use telehealth services to quickly assess patients to determine the most appropriate site of care, freeing emergency space for those that need it most. New rules ensure that patients can be screened at alternate treatment and testing sites which are not subject to the Emergency Medical Labor and Treatment Act (EMTALA) as long as the national emergency remains in force. This will allow hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) to screen patients at a location offsite from the hospital’s campus to prevent the spread of COVID-19." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"Local private practice clinicians and their trained staff may be available for temporary employment since nonessential medical and surgical services are postponed during the public health emergency. CMS’s temporary requirements allow hospitals and healthcare systems to increase their workforce capacity by removing barriers for physicians, nurses, and other clinicians to be readily hired from the local community as well as those licensed from other states without violating Medicare rules." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS is issuing waivers so that hospitals can use other practitioners, such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners, to the fullest extent possible, in accordance with a state’s emergency preparedness or pandemic plan. These clinicians can perform services such as order tests and medications that may have previously required a physician’s order where this is permitted under state law." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS is waiving the requirements that a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is under the supervision of a physician. This will allow CRNAs to function to the fullest extent allowed by the state, and free up physicians from the supervisory requirement and expand the capacity of both CRNAs and physicians." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS also is issuing a blanket waiver to allow hospitals to provide benefits and support to their medical staffs, such as multiple daily meals, laundry service for personal clothing, or child care services while the physicians and other staff are at the hospital and engaging in activities that benefit the hospital and its patients." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS is temporarily eliminating paperwork requirements and allowing clinicians to spend more time with patients. Medicare will now cover respiratory-related devices and equipment for any medical reason determined by clinicians so that patients can get the care they need; previously Medicare only covered them under certain circumstances." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"During the public health emergency, hospitals will not be required to have written policies on processes and visitation of patients who are in COVID-19 isolation. Hospitals will also have more time to provide patients a copy of their medical record." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"Building on prior action to expand reimbursement for telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries, CMS will now allow for more than 80 additional services to be furnished via telehealth. During the public health emergencies, individuals can use interactive apps with audio and video capabilities to visit with their clinician for an even broader range of services. Providers also can evaluate beneficiaries who have audio phones only." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"Providers can bill for telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits. Telehealth visits include emergency department visits, initial nursing facility and discharge visits, home visits, and therapy services, which must be provided by a clinician that is allowed to provide telehealth. New as well as established patients now may stay at home and have a telehealth visit with their provider." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS is making it clear that clinicians can provide remote patient monitoring services to patients with acute and chronic conditions, and can be provided for patients with only one disease. For example, remote patient monitoring can be used to monitor a patient’s oxygen saturation levels using pulse oximetry." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to BARDA to allow hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate products donated to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to be distributed and prescribed by doctors to hospitalized teen and adult patients with COVID-19, as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible." - Department of Health and Human Services (3/29/20)

"A Maryland federal judge on Friday said that he would grant a 120-day extension to the deadline for e-cigarette regulatory applications in light of the novel coronavirus outbreak that has strained U.S. Food and Drug Administration resources and disrupted supply chains.

Last week, the FDA asked the Fourth Circuit to extend the current May 12 deadline in light of the coronavirus outbreak, saying that many of the laboratories and research organizations conducting the clinical trials for the regulatory applications have shut down or otherwise halted in-person testing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic." - Law360 (4/6/20)

"In accordance with the COVID–19 Child Nutrition Response Act, USDA has granted a nationwide waiver, waiving the meal service time requirement during this public health emergency. This waiver allows for the serving of meals outside of the standard meal times for the following child nutrition programs: National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. FNS has provided this waiver to ensure children are still being fed, while still in support of social distancing recommendation." - U.S. Department of Agriculture (3/20/20)

"In accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, FNS has granted a nationwide waiver allowing parents and/or guardians to pick up meals for their children, without the student needing to be present. This waiver is in support of social distancing and minimizes the exposure of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it is effective immediately, and remains in effect through June 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier." - U.S. Department of Agriculture (4/14/20)

"Consistent with the agency's emergency rule on observer waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and under the authority granted to the Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator at 50 CFR 648.11(c), NOAA Fisheries is extending the waiver granted to vessels with Greater Atlantic Region fishing permits to carry human observers or at-sea monitors for an additional two weeks, through April 18, 2020. We will continue to evaluate the need for further extensions of this waiver on a weekly basis." - National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (4/2/20)

"Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health issued new guidance under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act authorizing licensed pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized." - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (4/8/20)

"The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), March 19, to waive a section of federal law that governs retired VA workers. The waiver makes it easier for the department to rehire retired VA health care workers and will help VA health care facilities bolster their medical staffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. VA plans to use the waiver authority to begin hiring actions as early as this week, and the department is inviting interested retired physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, respiratory therapists and other medical professionals to register online." - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (3/24/20)

"The first guidance, “COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: General Considerations for Pre-IND (Investigational New Drug application) Meeting Requests for COVID-19 Related Drugs and Biological Products,” outlines a more efficient process for developers to receive agency feedback on their supporting data with the goal of starting clinical trials as soon as possible. The FDA is committed to helping sponsors get potentially effective products into study quickly, while protecting the safety of patients. To that end, the guidance provides sponsors clarity on the types of data and information they should provide to address clinical, nonclinical and quality considerations before submitting an application to initiate studies." - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (5/11/2020)

"A medical-delivery firm has received special permission to fly its drones farther than previously allowed in the United States, a COVID-prompted decision that advances the nascent drone-delivery industry here. ZipLine, which says its drones have flown more than 1.8 million hours delivering supplies in Africa, will fly supplies some 32 miles between a drone launch facility near Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center and the Novant Health Respiratory Assessment Center outside Charlotte, North Carolina. The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates flight over U.S. territory, granted ZipLine permission to deliver medical supplies beyond line of sight over civilian airspace. Unmanned aircraft in the United States have largely been limited to line-of-sight flights, or government operations. The Department of Homeland Security, which flies General Atomics drones on surveillance missions over portions of the U.S. border, mounted a 275-mile demonstration flight from Yuma, Arizona, and Grey Butte, California. But that flight, like ZipLine’s upcoming delivery service, required a special waiver from the FAA." - Government Executive (5/28/2020)

"The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced an interim final rule to amend Regulation D (Reserve Requirements of Depository Institutions) to delete the six-per-month limit on convenient transfers from the "savings deposit" definition. The interim final rule allows depository institutions immediately to suspend enforcement of the six transfer limit and to allow their customers to make an unlimited number of convenient transfers and withdrawals from their savings deposits at a time when financial events associated with the coronavirus pandemic have made such access more urgent." - The Federal Reserve (4/24/2020)

"To ease strains in the Treasury market resulting from the coronavirus and increase banking organizations' ability to provide credit to households and businesses, the Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday announced a temporary change to its supplementary leverage ratio rule. The change would exclude U.S. Treasury securities and deposits at Federal Reserve Banks from the calculation of the rule for holding companies, and will be in effect until March 31, 2021. Liquidity conditions in Treasury markets have deteriorated rapidly, and financial institutions are receiving significant inflows of customer deposits along with increased reserve levels. The regulatory restrictions that accompany this balance sheet growth may constrain the firms' ability to continue to serve as financial intermediaries and to provide credit to households and businesses. The change to the supplementary leverage ratio will mitigate the effects of those restrictions and better enable firms to support the economy." - The Federal Reserve (4/1/2020)

"USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Bette Brand today announced that USDA is granting lenders a temporary exception to offer payment deferrals for Agency guaranteed loan programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective immediately until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees. For additional information, see page 17721 of the March 31, 2020, Federal Register." - U.S. Department of Agriculture (3/31/2020)

"This Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) provides regulatory relief to persons who have been unable to comply with certain training, recent experience, testing, and checking requirements due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. This relief allows operators to continue to use pilots and other crewmembers in support of essential operations during this period. Additionally, this SFAR provides regulatory relief to certain persons and pilot schools unable to meet duration and renewal requirements due to the outbreak. This rule also allows certain air carriers and operators to fly temporary overflow aircraft, a need resulting from the outbreak, to a point of storage pursuant to a special flight permit with a continuing authorization." - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT) (4/30/2020)

"Licensed healthcare facility (LHF)-based NP practice allows collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer or designee, which may be in specific patient locations within the hospital such as Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit or elsewhere in the facility. Allows for the CMO or designee to have unlimited collaborations. A facility can have an unlimited number of CRNP/CNM. An application is not required as the LHF will perform record keeping for this. There is no fee associated with the LTF approval during this crisis period." - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (4/2/20)

"NPs authorized to prescribe from a facility-approved formulary and perform all skills authorized in the facility protocols within the scope of the NP’s education and training. (controlled substance prescribing requires DEA registration through the ABME). The facility is authorized to develop related CRNP/CNM protocols supportive of patient care, based on the scope of practice for a CRNP/CNM." - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (4/2/20)

"The State Health Planning and Development Agency and, as appropriate, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council and the Certificate of Need Review Board, is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate emergency rules to provide for temporary waivers to the Certificate of Need process to permit new services, facilities, and other resources needed for the treatment of patients affected by... COVID-19... " - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (4/2/20)

"Notaries in Alabama who are licensed attorneys or operating under the supervision of licensed attorneys may notarize signatures through videoconferencing programs and confirm the signatures of witnesses who participate virtually through videoconferencing as though they were physically present at the signing." - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (3/26/20)

"I hereby delegate to the Commissioner of Revenue the authority to postpone the April 15, 2020, due date for the payment of the following state taxes until July 15, 2020 for any "person," as that term is defined in Ala. Code…" - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (3/26/20)

"The licensure period applicable to emergency medical services personnel and provider services is hereby extended for the duration of the current state of emergency." - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (3/26/20)

"Suspends certain fees and fines within the Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, Department of Revenue, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Fish and Game through May 11, 2020 unless otherwise noted." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/1/20)

Suspending several telehealth regulations to allow "phone consultations with another provider; to allow clinics to conduct assessments in ways other than face-to-face; to allow videoconferencing." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (3/31/20)

"To permit healthcare facilities to utilize space for patient care that may not have been designed and approved for such uses where approved facilities are not available due to surge in patients."- Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (3/31/20)

"Suspension of the statute only to the extent necessary to allow for: ( 1) curbside pickup of alcohol; and (2) delivery of beer and wine when included with an order of food being delivered by a licensed restaurant or eating place establishment." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/14/2020)

"To suspend in-person skills testing requirement for initial certification for EMTI, II, III, and AEMT (Advanced EMT). To suspend in-person skills testing requirement for CPR certification. To suspend EMT recertification deadline. To suspend in-person skills testing for CPR certification of EMTs. To suspend requirement that an EMT whose certification has been expired for one to three years must apply for recertification. To suspend the cap of a maximum of 24 hours of Continuing Medical Education hours delivered through distance education." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/9/2020)

"Limited suspension of requirement that dependent children under the age of 23 attend on a full-time basis an accredited educational or technical institution recognized by the Department of Education and Early Development." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/14/2020)

"To suspend fees for facilities that have closed, or are operating at reduced capacity, due to COVID-19 health mandates… To suspend collection of annual permit payments for facilities that have closed, or are operating at reduced capacity, due to due to COVID-19 health mandates." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/9/2020)

"To suspend the requirement for current holders of a preliminary certificate to submit passing scores on a competency exam. To suspend the requirement for applicants for an initial certificate to submit passing scores on a competency exam. To suspend the requirement for the issuance of teacher certificates for the completion of the required three semester hours of Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural coursework. For initial teaching certificates, to suspend the requirements for the completion of the required three semester hours of Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural coursework." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/14/2020)

"Governor Ducey notified the Center For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of his decision to exempt the State of Arizona from a federal regulation requiring Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to be supervised by a physician. The reform will expand access to care, especially in rural areas, and free up physicians for other needed medical services." - Office of Governor Doug Ducey (3/24/20)

"Under the Executive Order, state agencies and boards will defer requirements to renew licenses that have an expiration date between March 1, 2020 and September 1, 2020 by six months from the expiration date, unless those requirements can be completed online. Additionally, they will defer requirements to complete continuing education by six months, unless those requirements can be completed online." - Office of Governor Doug Ducey (3/26/20)

"The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System shall permit and the Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers shall certify an individual who completes on-the-job training as provided in this order as if the applicant had fulfilled the requirements for training required." - Office of Governor Doug Ducey (4/14/20)

"No Arizona regulatory board shall enforce any statute, rule, or regulation that would require a medical professional who is licensed by that board and who is authorized to write prescriptions to conduct an in-person examination of an injured worker prior to the issuance of a prescription." - Office of Governor Doug Ducey (4/14/20)

"To fully leverage telehealth in Arkansas and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I am suspending the provisions… requiring an in-person encounter, or a face to face examination using real time audio and visual means to establish a professional relationship. Physicians licensed in Arkansas who have access to a patient's personal health record maintained by a physician may establish a professional relationship with a patient using any technology deemed appopriate by the provider... with a citizen located in Arkansas to diagnose, treat and if clinically appropriate, prescribe a non-controlled drug to that patient." - Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson (3/24/20)

"A suspension of Arkansas Code to the extent necessary to allow emergency medical treatment protocol development or modification to occur solely with the approval of the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health." - Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson (4/13/20)

"The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the 2019 individual income tax filing date and individual income tax payment date from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020." - Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson (3/23/20)

"For the duration of the declared emergency, waive any of the licensing and staffing requirements of chapters 1, 3.3, 8.5, and 9 of division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and any accompanying regulations with respect to any clinic, adult day health care, hospice, or mobile health care unit. Any waiver shall include alternative measures that, under the circumstances, will allow the clinic, adult day health care, hospice, or mobile health care unit to assist in the care or protect the health of individuals while protecting public health and safety." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/21/20)

"Any local ordinance, including those relating to noise limitations, is suspended to the extent it restricts, delays, or otherwise inhibits the delivery of food products, pharmaceuticals, and other emergency necessities distributed through grocery stores and other retail or institutional channels, including, but not limited to, hospitals, jails, restaurants, and schools." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/21/20)

"To ensure that patients with mental or behavioral health conditions continue to receive the services and support they need, notwithstanding disruptions caused by COVID-19; and to protect the health, safety and welfare of patients with mental or behavioral health conditions committed to the State Department of State Hospitals facilities, as defined by Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 4100 and 7200; the Director of the State Department of State Hospitals may issue directives waiving any provision or requirement of the Welfare and Institutions Code; any provision or requirement of the Penal Code that affects the execution of laws relating to care, custody, and treatment of persons with mental illness committed to or in the custody of the State Department State Hospitals." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/21/20)

"The executive order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. That means small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns. Additionally, the order extends the statute of limitations to file a claim for refund by 60 days to accommodate tax and fee payers. The executive order also includes extensions that impact state government workers, as well as consumers. For instance, the Department of Motor Vehicles will limit in-person transactions for the next 60 days, allowing instead for mail-in renewals. Additionally, the Department of Consumer Affairs will waive continuing education requirements for several professions, also for the next 60 days. Further, the order will extend the Office of Administrative Law’s deadlines to review regular department proposed regulations. The order also extends by 60 days the time period to complete investigation of public safety officers based on allegations of misconduct. Finally, deadlines for trainings, investigations, and adverse actions for state workers will also be extended." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/30/20)

"To the extent necessary and only for the duration of the declared emergency, waive any of the professional licensing and certification requirements and amend scopes of practice of chapters 2, 2.35, and 8 of division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and any accompanying regulations with respect to certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and nursing home administrators, and chapter 3, division 2 of the Business and Professions Code and accompanying regulations with respect to certified hemodialysis technicians." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/30/20)

"Some of the issues addressed in the executive order include granting a 60-day extension for customers on several Department of Motor Vehicles deadlines, including for recently expired drivers’ licenses and identification cards, to reflect public compliance with the COVID-19 stay at home order. It also suspends late fees from being applied to expired vehicle registrations." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The order will allow certain posting, filing and notice requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to be satisfied through electronic means to allow public access and involvement consistent with COVID-19 public health concerns." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The executive order will temporarily allow retailers, particularly grocery stores, to provide bags to consumers without charge, and to pause redemption of beverage containers in-store to mitigate the spread of COVID-19." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The executive order also temporarily suspends the requirement for recycling centers to hold a minimum number of hours of operation and directs the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to develop and issue operating guidelines." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The executive order will temporarily suspend requirements for in-person signatures for people to obtain certain prescription drugs covered by Medi-Cal, and will allow a 90-day extension for providers on cost reporting, change of scope of service and administrative hearings." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The order relaxes certain state privacy and security laws for medical providers, so they can provide telehealth services without the risk of being penalized. This action is similar to the federal HHS Office for Civil Rights waiver issued on March 17, 2020 regarding federal privacy and security laws." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/3/20)

"Under the executive order, adults will be able to obtain a marriage license, at the discretion of their local county clerk, through videoconferencing, as long as both adults are located within the State of California, are present, and can present identification during the video conference. The license can then be issued via email. Additionally, adults who wish to be married can conduct a ceremony to solemnize the marriage via videoconference, as long as both parties are present, and have at least one witness who can join the live video conference. The provisions will be in place for the next 60 days for those who wish to be married during that time." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/30/2020)

"Additionally, the order extends for 60 days the expiration dates for notaries public whose commissions are set to expire. The order also makes it clear that notaries public can use an expired Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license or identification card to confirm identification, consistent with prior action that extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses and identification cards." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (5/8/2020)

"The order also waives the deadline to verify grade point average and waives certain certification requirements and selective service registration verification for Cal Grant applicants." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (5/19/2020)

"The order helps ease the strain on domestic violence service providers by waiving the 10 percent cash or in-kind matching requirements for state grants awarded to these organizations." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (5/19/2020)

"Governor Polis said he would order the state to expedite licensing of new medical professionals and asked medical professionals who might be retired or are in a different profession to reconnect with their prior employer to supplement the state’s health cares systems if and when medical professionals are diagnosed with COVID-19." - CPR News (3/13/20)

"In order to scale up our health care workforce capacity, I have asked the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies to cut through the red tape on licensing our medical professionals so that medical professionals - including pharmacists, nurses, doctors - who are licensed in other states but residing here can be immediately licensed in Colorado as quickly as possible to address this shortage." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/13/20)

"I temporarily suspend the restriction in C.R.S. § 43-3-101(3) that no commercial enterprise shall be conducted or authorized on any property designated as or acquired for or in connection with a freeway or highway by the department of transportation, or any other governmental agency for commercial food truck. I direct the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation to issue temporary permits to allow commercial food trucks in Colorado’s rest and commercial trucking refueling areas to support truckers and commercial vehicle activity." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (5/2/2020)

"I temporarily suspend C.R.S. §§ 1-4-802(1)(d)(I) and 1-4-802(1)(f)(I), which establish the time period during which unaffiliated and independent candidates may circulate petitions." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (4/13/2020)

"I direct the Executive Director of DORA, through the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), to promulgate and issue temporary emergency rules to permit the licensed professionals... to cross train, supervise, and delegate responsibilities concerning the temporary care and treatment of patients to the professionals listed in Section II.B., in hospitals or inpatient medical facilities, including emergency departments, as long as such delegated responsibilities are appropriate based on the delegated professional’s education, training, and experience..." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (4/15/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the medical tasks that may be delegated to anesthesiologist assistants under C.R.S. § 12-240-107(7)(a), and I direct the Executive Director of DORA, through the Director of DPO, to promulgate and issue temporary emergency rules that allow certified nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologist assistants to perform airway management for COVID-19 patients." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (4/15/2020)

"I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order ordering the temporary suspension of certain statutes preventing the issuance of marriage licenses when county clerk and recorder offices are closed due to the presence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/26/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the enforcement of the statutory license limitations in C.R.S. §§ 44-3-301(3)(a), 44-3-901(1)(g), 44-3-901(10), and 44-4-107(6) to allow retailers licensed for on-premises alcohol consumption to sell, deliver, or provide for takeout of sealed alcohol beverages if the customer, who is over twenty-one (21) years old, also purchases food, for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I also temporarily suspend the enforcement of the statutory license limitations in C.R.S. §§ 44-3-301(3)(a), 44-3- 901(1)(g), and 44-3-901(10) for breweries operating an approved sales room to sell, deliver, or provide for takeout of sealed containers of malt liquor, if the customer is over twenty-one (21) years old, for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I temporarily suspend C.R.S. § 25-1.5-106(2)(a.5)(I), which requires an appropriate personal physical examination for the issuance of medical marijuana cards, for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020, to prevent exposure of COVID-19 among medical professionals and medical marijuana patients." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the prohibition on retail marijuana store online sales of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products in C.R.S. § 44-10-601(7)(c) to facilitate pick up by consumers twenty-one (21) years of age and older in a manner consistent with social-distancing guidelines promulgated by CDPHE, for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the vehicle gross weight provisions of C.R.S. § 42-4- 508(1)(c) for vehicles weighing 80,001 pounds to 84,999 pounds, to ensure the delivery of emergency goods and services to their destination in a safe and efficient manner for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order ordering the temporary suspension of certain statutes to expand the use of telehealth services due to the presence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (4/1/2020)

"Pursuant to the authority established in relevant provisions of the Act, C.R.S. § 24-33.5-701 et seq., I direct DHSEM and DHHA to enter into a contract to provide healthcare services consistent with the provisions of this Executive Order at the Colorado Convention Center ACS. While acting in good faith to comply completely with this Executive Order, and the resulting contract, to operate the Colorado Convention Center ACS, DHHA and its personnel shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for any action taken to comply with this Executive Order related to their activities at the Colorado Convention Center ACS pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-33.5-711.5(2). D. Pursuant to the authority established in relevant provisions of the Act, C.R.S. § 24-33.5-701 et seq., I direct DHSEM and UCHealth to enter into a contract to provide healthcare services consistent with the provisions of this Executive Order at The Ranch ACS. While acting in good faith to comply completely with this Executive Order, and the resulting contract, to operate The Ranch ACS, UCHealth and its personnel shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for any action taken to comply with this Executive Order related to their activities at The Ranch ACS pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-33.5-711.5(2)." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (5/20/2020)

"Authorizes the Office of Health Strategy to waive Certificates of Need and other requirements to ensure adequate availability of healthcare resources and facilities." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/14/20)

"Governor Lamont signed his third executive order since the enactment of the emergency declarations earlier this week. The order issued... authorizes the Commissioner of Early Childhood to waive certain licensing and other requirements to maintain and increase the availability of childcare…" - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/14/20)

"Governor Lamont today signed his third executive order since the enactment of the emergency declarations earlier this week. The order issued... waives requirements for pharmacists to use certain personal protective equipment when working with non-hazardous, sterile compounds." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/14/20)

"Governor Lamont today signed his third executive order since the enactment of the emergency declarations earlier this week. The order issued… allows pharmacists to compound and sell hand sanitizer." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/14/20)

"Temporary Suspension of Tax on Single-Use Checkout Bags. All provisions of Section 355 of Public Act 19-117, as codified in Section 22a246a of the 2020 Supplement to the Connecticut General Statutes, regarding single-use plastic checkout bags, are temporarily suspended through May 15, 2020, unless earlier modified, extended, or terminated by me. The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall issue any implementing order he deems necessary, and any guidance for businesses on accounting or other necessary measures during this temporary suspension." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/26/20)

"Provisions to ensure adequate healthcare resources and facilities: The order allows the Office of Healthcare Strategy to waive certain requirements regarding certificates of need and other healthcare related requirements so ensure that the increased demand for healthcare resources and facilities can be met during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/16/20)

"Approval of Temporary Additional Nursing Home Beds for COVID-19 Recovery. Section 17b-354(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, to the extent that it places a moratorium on the approval of additional nursing home beds by the Commissioner of Social Services, is suspended effective April 13, 2020, but solely with respect to: (i) entities designated by the Department of Public Health (DPH) to serve as Alternate COVID Recovery Facilities, as said term is established and defined pursuant to Executive Order No. 7Y; and (ii) additional nursing home beds as may be required at an existing skilled nursing facility to receive COVID-19 transfers from entities designated by DPH to serve as COVID Recovery Facilities, as said terms are established and defined pursuant to Executive Order No. 7Y." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/15/20)

"In accordance with the provisions of Section 28-9(b)(1) of the Connecticut General Statutes, for any contract entered into on or after March 10, 2020, the head of a state contracting agency may waive the provisions of the following statutes if he or she deems such waiver necessary to expedite the procurement of “essential goods,” ... a. which require the disclosure of certain gifts and campaign contributions by state contractors... b. which require the inclusion of language regarding contractors’ civil liability for violations of the state’s whistleblower statute... c. which require the competitive solicitation for all purchases and contracts for supplies, materials and equipment... d. which require the inclusion of certain anti-discrimination terms in State contracts... e. which require state contractors to permit certain audit and inspection activities by the State... f. which requires state contractors to comply with certain confidentiality requirements." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/14/20)

"Suspension of Requirements for Security Officer License. Section 29-161q of the Connecticut General Statutes and any statute, regulation or requirement or part thereof relating to unarmed Security Officer licenses is hereby modified to authorize the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to waive licensing requirements for the purpose of temporarily allowing security services or businesses to employ security officers who are not licensed in Connecticut but are licensed in another state." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/14/20)

"Sections 20-65k, 20-12b(b), 20-74d, 20-162o(c) and 20-195t of the Connecticut General Statutes are modified to waive any application fees for temporary permits and to extend the duration of the temporary permits for the health care professions governed thereunder (Athletic Trainer, Respiratory Care Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Occupational, Therapist/Assistants, Master Social Worker), for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless earlier modified or terminated. The Commissioner may issue any implementing order she deems necessary to effectuate this order." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"The provisions in Sections 20-70(b)(1), 20-70(b)(2), 20-74bb(f), and 20- 101 of the Connecticut General Statutes that permit practice prior to licensure by applicants and graduates for the health care professions governed thereunder (Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiographer, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist), are modified to permit such practice for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless earlier modified or terminated. The Commissioner of Public Health may issue any implementing orders she deems necessary to effectuate this order." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"Section 20- 195f of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to provide that, for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless earlier modified or terminated, no license shall be required to practice as a marital and family therapy associate, as defined in Section 20-195a(4), for a person who has completed a graduate degree program specializing in marital and family therapy offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education or a postgraduate clinical training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education and offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"Section 20- 195bb(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to permit a person who has completed the requirements in Section 20-195dd(b) to practice as a professional counselor associate without obtaining a license for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless earlier modified or terminated." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"Notwithstanding any provision of the Connecticut General Statutes or any other state law, including the common law, or any associated regulations, rules, policies, or procedures, any health care professional or health care facility shall be immune from suit for civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been sustained because of the individual's or health care facility's acts or omissions undertaken in good faith while providing health care services in support of the State's COVID-19 response, including but not limited to acts or omissions undertaken because of a lack of resources, attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, that renders the health care professional or health care facility unable to provide the level or manner of care that otherwise would have been required in the absence of the COVID-19 pandemic and which resulted in the damages at issue, provided that nothing in this order shall remove or limit any immunity conferred by any provision of the Connecticut General Statutes or other law." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"Section 21a317 of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to provide that out-of-state practitioners, working within the scope of practice for which the practitioner is licensed, registered or certified in another state, and in accordance with the order issued by the Commissioner of Public Health on March 23, 2020 authorizing certain out-of-state practitioners to provide care in Connecticut, or any superseding or amended order, may prescribe controlled substances in Connecticut without obtaining a Controlled Substance Registration from the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP)." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/30/2020)

"Section 20-12a of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to suspend the supervision requirements for physician assistants authorized to practice in the State of Connecticut set forth in Subsection (7)(A) subparts (iii) through (v), inclusive, and (7)(B) subparts (iii) through (v), inclusive, of said Section." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"Section 20-87a(b)(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to suspend the requirement that a physician, medically directing the prescriptive activity of an advanced practice registered nurse who is prescribing and administering medical therapeutics during surgery, must be physically present in the institution, clinic or other setting where the surgery is being performed." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"Section 20-162q(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to allow a respiratory care therapist student or a respiratory care technician student as specified in said subsection to provide services in accordance with the requirements of said subsection except that the services are not required to be a component of such person's course of study." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"The continuing education requirements in Chapters 370, 373, 376, 376a, 376b, 376c, 378, 379, 379a, 380, 381, 381a, 383, 383a, 383b, 383c, 384, 383d, 384a, 384c, 385, 387a, 388, 397a, 398, 399 and Section 19a-515 of the General Statutes are suspended for one (1) year for occupations and professions with annual education requirements, and for the other occupations and professions within said statutes, the continuing education completion period and reporting requirements are suspended for six (6) months. The continuing education requirements are modified as stated above for each person for the continuing education year in which March 10, 2020 lies for him or her." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"Participation in Intern, Resident Physician, or United States Medical Officer Candidate Training Programs Prior to Permit Issuance. Section 20-11a of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to allow a person to participate in an intern or resident physician program or United States Medical Officer candidate training program prior to issuance of a permit by the Department of Public Health provided that the hospital administrator documents that the person has satisfied the requirements for such a permit set forth in the statute... Participation in Resident Physician Assistant Program Prior to Permit Issuance. Section 20-12h of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to allow a person to participate in a resident physician assistant program in a short-term hospital that provides a postgraduate medical education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, without a license or temporary permit issued pursuant to section 20-12b or a training permit issued by the Department of Public Health, provided that the hospital administrator documents that the person is to be appointed a resident physician assistant in such hospital and has satisfied the requirements of subdivisions (1), (2) and (5) of subsection (a) of section 20-12b." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"Waiver of Requirement for Guest Books at Private Clubs. Section 30-23a is Connecticut General Statutes is suspended, and therefore, nonprofit clubs and golf country clubs shall not be required to maintain a guest book with information about member’s guests during public health and civil preparedness emergency." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/21/2020)

"Suspension or Modification of Regulatory Requirements to Protect Public Health and Safety. Notwithstanding Sections 4-168 to 4-174, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner of Education may temporarily waive, modify or suspend any regulatory requirements adopted under Title 10 of the Connecticut General Statutes as he deems necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the public health." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/18/2020)

"The Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies are modified to authorize the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services to provide additional support for caregiver relatives as follows: a. Section 17b-423-8(g)(3) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies is modified to allow Area Agencies on Aging to provide up to $7,500 per fiscal year to family caregivers for respite care services and to provide up to $1,500 per fiscal year for supplemental services." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/13/2020)

"Expedited Municipal Review of Outdoor Dining and Retail. Any Covered Law requiring an applicant to receive an approval or permit for outdoor food and beverage service, outdoor displays of goods, or COVID-19 Signage, which activities (other than COVID-19 Signage) end at 11 p.m. or earlier on Friday and Saturday nights and end at 9 p.m. or earlier all other days of the week (such activities being, the “Outdoor Activities”) is suspended to the extent that the Covered Law requires review and determination of any application for Outdoor Activities by a multi-member municipal agency or any by any entity other than an individual municipal official generally responsible for administrative enforcement of the relevant Covered Law, such as a zoning administrator or a building code official (such official and his or her designee being, the “Local Enforcement Official”), and modified to require all such reviews and determinations to be conducted only by the Local Enforcement Official." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/12/2020)

"Any Covered Law that does not explicitly allow Outdoor Activities or that prohibits Outdoor Activities shall be deemed to allow such activities as an accessory use to any location where food or beverages are served or goods are sold, as applicable, subject to review and approval by the Local Enforcement Official and reasonable conditions imposed through Local Enforcement Official review, provided that nothing in this order shall require a municipality to permit the sale or service of alcoholic beverages as a principal or accessory use anywhere that such activity is not permitted as a principal or accessory use, and provided further than nothing in this Order shall permit the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption independent of sale of food, or permit the operation of outdoor bars unless expressly permitted by further executive order or by rules or guidelines issued by the Department of Community and Economic Development pursuant to an executive order." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/12/2020)

"Any Covered Law requiring a minimum number of parking spaces or prohibiting Outdoor Activities from taking place in parking lots is suspended to the extent required to permit such Outdoor Activities alone or in conjunction with any other authorized activity, including any activity required to enable the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any Covered Law prohibiting Outdoor Activities from taking place in on-street parking spaces is modified to allow the Local Enforcement Official to permit this activity, consistent with the requirements of this Order." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/12/2020)

"The Covered Laws are suspended to the extent they impose fees for applications filed pursuant to this Order for Outdoor Activities, and no fees for such applications shall be collected or be due and owed to the State or to any municipality for the duration of the emergency." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/12/2020)

"Pharmacists are Permitted to Order and Administer Food and Drug Administration Approved Tests for COVID-19. Notwithstanding any provision of the Connecticut General Statutes or Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Section 19a-36-D29 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies is modified to provide that pharmacists licensed pursuant to Chapter 400j of the Connecticut General Statutes are expressly permitted to order COVID-19 diagnostic tests consistent with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), including serology tests that do not require venipuncture, that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized. Pharmacists shall report all testing activities and any other information required by DPH in accordance with applicable orders, guidelines or other directives issued by the Commissioner of Public Health or her designees." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/7/2020)

"Authorization for DSS Commissioner to Temporarily Waive, Modify, or Suspend DSS Home Health Regulatory Requirements. Notwithstanding Sections 4-168 to 4-174, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner of Social Services may by written order temporarily waive, modify, or suspend any regulatory requirements adopted by the Commissioner of Social Services under section 17b-262 of the Connecticut General Statutes as the Commissioner of Social Services deems necessary to increase the access of Medicaid members to home health services." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/5/2020)

"Effective April 15, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. E.D.T., any notarial act required under Delaware law is authorized to be performed, in addition to methods authorized under current law, by utilizing audio-visual technology (remote notarization)." - Office of Governor John Carney (4/15/20)

"The training requirements found in Section 3215 of Title 16 of the Delaware Administrative Code are hereby suspended. Previously untrained feeding assistants may undergo on-site training for the pendency of the state of emergency." - Office of Governor John Carney (3/30/20)

"To the extent not suspended by the Second Modification of the Declaration of a State of Emergency, all regulations requiring any in-person contact before or during telemedicine services provided by any medical professional are hereby suspended." - Office of Governor John Carney (3/30/20)

"For purposes of preparing for, responding to, and mitigating any effect of COVID-19, health care professionals, advanced life support professionals, and basic life support professionals holding a valid, unrestricted, and unencumbered license in any state, territory, and/or district may render such services in Florida during a period not to exceed thirty days unless extended by order of the State Surgeon General, if such health care practitioner does not represent or hold themselves out as a health care practitioner licensed to practice in Florida." - State Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees, Executive Order (3/16/20) ​​​​

"For purposes of preparing for, responding to, and mitigating any effect of COVID-19, qualified physicians under section 381.986, Florida Statutes [medical use of marijuana], may issue a physician certification only for an existing qualified patient with an existing certification that was issued by that qualified physician without the need to conduct a physical examination while physically present in the same room as the patient." - State Surgeon General Scott A Rivkees, Executive Order (3/16/20)

"For purposes of preparing for, responding to, and mitigating any effect of COVID-19, physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses licensed in Florida that have designated themselves as a controlled substance prescribing practitioner pursuant to section 456.44, may issue a renewal prescription for a controlled substance listed as Schedule II, Schedule III, or Schedule IV under chapter 893 only for an existing patient for the purpose of treating chronic nonmalignant pain without the need to conduct a physical examination of the patient. These practitioners may only substitute telehealth services for the physical examination." - State Surgeon General Scott A Rivkees, Executive Order (3/16/20)

"For the purposes of preparing for, responding to, and mitigating any effect of COVID-19, the provisions of chapters 499 and 465, Florida Statutes, and rules promulgated thereunder, that if applied, would operate to limit distribution, dispensing, or administration of otherwise legitimate prescription drugs in a manner that could hinder, prevent, or delay mitigation of any health-related condition are suspended for a period of thirty days, unless extended."- State Surgeon General Scott A Rivkees, Executive Order (3/16/20)

"I hereby suspend any Florida Statute that requires a quorum to be present in person or requires a local government body to meet at a specific public place... Local government bodies may utilize communications media technology, such as telephonic and video conferencing…" - Office of Governor Ron DeSantis (3/20/2020)

"I hereby declare that certain FRS employees who have retired since October 1, 2019, or who may retire prior to or on August 1, 2020 under a state administered retirement system (i.e., FRS Pension Plan service retirement or Deferred Retirement Option Program (""DROP""), FRS Investment Plan, State University System Optional Retirement Program, Community College System Optional Retirement Program, and Senior Management Service Optional Retirement Program), may have the requirements of Section 121.091(9), F.S., tolled for completion of the 6-month termination period and the 7th-12th month re-employment limitation period if the re-employment or continued employment assists the COVID-19 emergency response. Any other statutory provision or implementing regulation limiting such re-employment shall also be suspended." - Office of Governor Ron DeSantis (3/30/2020)

"A. I suspend the relevant portions of section 110. 123, Florida Statutes, and direct the Secretary of the Department of Management Services to amend the state employee health benefits plan documents effective immediately through the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, to include telehealth services at no additional cost to employees. B. I suspend the relevant portions of section 110.12315, Florida Statutes, and direct the Secretary of the Department of Management Services to amend the state employee pharmacy benefits plan documents effective immediately through the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, to include telehealth services, as appropriate, to employees participating in the SOI plan. C. I hereby direct the Department of Management Services, Division of State Group Insurance, to ensure that all state employees have access to telehealth services through the state's contracted HMO plans and PPO organization plan without cost sharing effective immediately through the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions." - Office of Governor Ron DeSantis (3/26/2020)

"Despite the selfless services that MUST Ministries provides, last year, government regulators stepped in and informed the charity that they can longer run the summer lunch program in the manner that they were accustomed.... Thanks to coronavirus, schools are temporarily closed across Georgia to contain COVID-19’s spread. The negative byproduct of this is that many underserved children, who would otherwise receive school lunches, now risk going hungry. To the government’s credit, schools are planning to somehow provide kids these lunches. According to 11Alive News, “To continue to support Cobb students while schools are closed, the Cobb County School District is partnering with MUST Ministries to provide food to students in need.”" - All On Georgia (3/19/20)

"That the Department of Community Health is authorized and directed to implement the suspension of Code Section 31-6-40 [Certificate of need required for new institutional health services] where such suspension would permit capable facilities to expand capacity, offer services, or make expenditures necessary to assist with the needs of this Public Health State of Emergency... That the Commissioner of the Department of Community Health or his designees is authorized and directed to implement waivers of those rules and regulations necessary to prohibit the prevention, hindrance, or delay of necessary action..." - Office of Governor Brian Kemp (3/20/20) [EO - Reducing Regulations to Assist the State’s Response to the Spread of COVID-19]

"Suspension of the following laws: Part IX of chapter 329, HRS, medical use of cannabis, to the extent necessary to allow the Department of Health to extend effective period of registration for qualifying patients and primary caregivers with registration cards with expiration dates in March and April for sixty (60) days." - Office of Governor David Ige (3/23/20)

"Suspension of the following laws: Sections 329-32(a), 329-33(a), 329-38.2, HRS, uniform controlled substances act, and related administrative rules, to the extent necessary to allow out-of-state physicians and nurses to dispense (including prescribing and administering) controlled substances without having to register in Hawai‘i, as contemplated in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s COVID-19 Policy Concerning Separate Registration Across State Lines dated March 25, 2020." - Office of Governor David Ige (3/29/20)

"Suspension of the following laws: Chapter 346, HRS, Part VIII, child care, and related administrative rules for child care licensing and subsidies, to the extent necessary such that the Director of the Department of Human Services, in his sole discretion and for the purpose of assisting those in need, may suspend fingerprinting requirements; suspend the requisite staffing configurations and the number of children per adult ratio for a child care establishment; suspend eligibility and other requirements for family units impacted by an emergency; disregard emergency related benefits in calculating child care subsidies; suspend application deadlines for child care subsidies; allow for redeterminations of eligibility and monthly payment amounts within 3 of 5 the eligibility period; and suspend subsidy payments for longer than one month when a payment amount is determined to be zero." - Office of Governor David Ige (3/29/20)

"Suspension of the following laws: Section 453-1.3, HRS, practice of telehealth, to the extent necessary to allow individuals currently and actively licensed pursuant to chapter 453, HRS, to engage in telehealth without an in-person consultation or a prior existing physician-patient relationship; and to the extent necessary to enable out-of-state physicians, osteopathic physicians, and physician assistants with a current and active license, or those who were previously licensed pursuant to chapter 453, HRS, but who are no longer current and active, to engage in telehealth in Hawai‘i without a license, inperson consultation, or prior existing physician-patient relationship, provided that they have never had their license revoked or suspended and are hired by a state or county agency or facility or by a hospital, including related clinics and rehabilitation hospitals, nursing home, hospice, pharmacy, or clinical laboratory." - Office of Governor David Ige (3/29/20)

"Pursuant to sections 127A-9 and 127A-12(a)(5), HRS, I direct that during the pendency of the Emergency Proclamations, health care facilities, as defined in section 1 of this Executive Order, that in good faith comply completely with all state and federal orders regarding the disaster emergency, shall be immune from civil liability for any death or injury to persons, or property damage alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the health care facility, which death of or injury to persons, or property damage occurred at a time when the health care facility was engaged in the course of rendering assistance to the State by providing health care services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak... Pursuant to sections 127A-9 and 127A-12(a)(5), HRS, I direct that during the pendency of the Emergency Proclamations, health care professionals, as defined in section 1 of this Executive Order, who in good faith comply completely with all state and federal orders regarding the disaster emergency, shall be immune from civil liability for any death or injury to persons, or property damage alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the health 4 of 5 care professional, which death of or injury to persons, or property damage occurred at a time when the health care professional was engaged in the course of rendering assistance to the State by providing health care services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak..." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The suspension of the following laws, as allowed by federal law, pursuant to section 127A-13(a)(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)...: Section 457-7, HRS, registered nurses; qualifications; licenses; fees; title; existing licensed nurses; verification of licenses; eligibility, to the extent necessary to waive the licensure and accompanying requirements so as to permit graduates of nursing education programs approved by the State Board of Nursing, within 180 days following graduation, to be employed to practice nursing 4 of 11 under the supervision of a registered nurse, with the endorsement of the employing health care facility." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The suspension of the following laws, as allowed by federal law, pursuant to section 127A-13(a)(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)...: Section 457-8.5, HRS, advanced practice registered nurse; qualifications; licensure; endorsement; fees; eligibility, to the extent necessary to waive the licensure and accompanying requirements so as to permit graduates of an accredited graduate level education program preparing the nurse for one of the four recognized advanced practice registered nurse roles licensed by the State Board of Nursing, within 180 days following graduation, to be employed to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse, with the endorsement of the employing health care entity." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The suspension of the following laws, as allowed by federal law, pursuant to section 127A-13(a)(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)...: Section 461-9(a), HRS, pharmacist in charge; pharmacy personnel, and Sections 16-95-79(a), HAR, supervision by a registered pharmacist, and 16-95-80(a), HAR, physical presence of a registered pharmacist, to the extent necessary to allow a registered pharmacist currently and actively licensed pursuant to chapter 461, HRS, or pharmacy intern currently and actively permitted by the board, to fill, compound, or receive prescriptions by remote data entry." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The suspension of the following laws, as allowed by federal law, pursuant to section 127A-13(a)(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)...: Section 572-6, HRS, application; license; limitations, to the extent necessary to suspend the requirement that persons applying for a marriage license shall appear personally before an agent authorized to grant marriage licenses. During the time that this emergency order is effective, persons applying for a marriage license may appear by synchronous, real-time, interactive audio and video telecommunications before an agent authorized to grant marriage licenses." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The waivers will increase the capacity of Idaho’s healthcare system by broadening the use of telehealth and removing barriers on out-of-state providers treating Idaho patients through telehealth technology." - Office of Governor Brad Little (3/23/20)

"The waivers... streamline the licensure of nurses and physicians, allowing inactive or retired providers to come back into the profession more quickly and easily." - Office of Governor Brad Little (3/23/20)

"The waivers also enhance the care for Idaho patients by ensuring each Idahoan can access their chronic medications – such as those for diabetes -- by allowing emergency refill of up to 90 days for existing medications." - Office of Governor Brad Little (3/23/20)

"Idaho citizens and businesses now have until June 15, 2020, to file their state income taxes and make any state income tax payments and apply for the Property Tax Reduction, Property Tax Deferral, and 100% Service-connected Disabled Veteran Benefit programs." - Office of Governor Brad Little (3/23/20)

"During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, the provisions in the Healthcare Worker Background Check Act, 225 ILCS 46/33(g), that prohibit an individual from being hired to work as a certified nursing assistant if they have been inactive on the Health Care Worker Registry are suspended if the individual (1) has been in inactive status for a period of no more than 5 years, (2) was in good standing at the time they became inactive, and (3) completes and submits any forms required by the Department of Public Health." - Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker (3/24/20)

"During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, the provision of the Coal Mining Act, 225 ILCS 705/8.06, requiring the Miners’ Examining Board to hold an examination once in each calendar month, is suspended." - Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker (3/24/20)

"During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, section 10-35 of the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code, 225 ILCS 41/10-35, stating that no license of a funeral director and embalmer intern shall be renewed more than twice, is suspended. Licensees must meet all other requirements for renewal as set forth by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation." - Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker (4/7/20)

"During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation related to the outbreak of COVID-19, the requirement that a person must “appear before” a Notary Public commissioned under the laws of Illinois pursuant to the Illinois Notary Act, 5 ILCS 312/6-102, is satisfied if the Notary Public performs a remote notarization via two-way audio-video communication technology, provided that the Notary Public commissioned in Illinois is physically within the State while performing the notarial act and the transaction follows the guidance posted by the Illinois Secretary of State on its website." - Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker (3/26/20)

"The Division has granted a variance to Section 1290.410(c)(5) of the administrative rules made pursuant to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. The purpose of this Variance is to allow cannabis dispensaries to dispense cannabis outside of the limited access area... The exchange of cash and product must take place on the dispensary’s property or on a public walkway or at the curb of the street adjacent to the dispensary." - Illinois Department of Public Health (3/17/20)

"With many Illinois-based distillers shifting operations to produce needed hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is ensuring any alcohol purchases made for production be tax-exempt. Normally, distillers incur a tax liability based on the amount and strength of alcohol used in distillation. Last night, IDOR sent distillers guidance on how to claim a tax deduction on their alcohol purchases to remove any tax liability." - Illinois Department of Revenue (4/8/20)

"To obtain a marriage license, couples may appear before the county clerk and conduct a marriage ceremony using two-way audio-video communication technology, if certain conditions are met. Suspends the requirement that a fully executed marriage license must be submitted to the county clerk within 10 days. Suspends the requirement that a marriage license becomes effective one day after the date of issuance." - Governor JB Pritzker (5/1/2020)

"Suspends certain requirements, including the need for an adult use cannabis dispensing organization agent to obtain an agent identification card from IDFPR prior to beginning work at a dispensary and the need for a medical or adult use cannabis dispensing organization agent to keep an agent identification card visible at all times when in the dispensary." - Governor JB Pritzker (4/30/2020)

"Suspends provisions in the teacher preparation programs. Suspends requiring internships for endorsements on professional educator licenses. Suspends requiring certain courses as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma for twelfth grade students who are unable to complete coursework as a result of the suspension of in-person instruction due to COVID-19." - Governor JB Pritzker (4/24/2020)

"Suspends certain provisions in the Illinois Insurance Code that require in-person education and/or exams within a certain time frame in order to maintain or obtain a professional insurance license." - Governor JB Pritzker (4/20/2020)

"Suspends the provision in the Radiation Protection Act of 1990 that limits the validity of industrial radiography certifications to five years and industrial radiography trainee certifications to two years. Industrial radiography certifications and industrial radiography trainee certifications that have expired or will expire may be extended." - Governor JB Pritzker (4/20/2020)

"Hospitals that continue to cancel or postpone all elective surgeries or procedures in order to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, or Health Care Professionals providing service in such a Hospital, shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the Hospital or Health Care Professional, which injury or death occurred at a time when a Hospital or Health Care Professional was rendering assistance to the State in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing health care services consistent with current guidance issued by IDPH. Pursuant to Sections 15 and 21(b)-(c) of the IEMA Act, 20 ILCS 3305/15 and 21(b)-(c), I direct that during the pendency of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, Hospitals that conduct elective surgeries or procedures beginning on or after May 11, 2020, or Health Care Professionals providing services in such a Hospital, shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death relating to the diagnosis, transmission, or treatment of COVID-19 alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the Hospital or the Health Care Professional, which injury or death occurred at a time when a Hospital or Health Care Professional was rendering assistance to the State in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing health care services consistent with current guidance issued by IDPH." - Office of Governor JB Pritzker (5/13/2020)

"Pursuant to Sections 15 and 21(b)-(c) of the IEMA Act, 20 ILCS 3305/15 and 21(b)-(c), I direct that during the pendency of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, Health Care Facilities or Health Care Professionals providing services in a Health Care Facility, shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death relating to the diagnosis, transmission, or treatment of COVID-19 alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the Health Care Facility or the Health Care Professional, which injury or death occurred at a time when a Health Care Facility or Health Care Professional was rendering assistance to the State in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing health care services consistent with current guidance issued by IDPH. This section is inapplicable if it is established that such injury or death was caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Health Care Facility or Health Care Professional, if 20 ILCS 3305/15 is applicable, or by willful misconduct, if 20 ILCS 3305/21 is applicable. Pursuant to Section 21(c) of the IEMA Act, 20 ILCS 3305/21(c), and the Good Samaritan Act, 745 ILCS 49, I direct that during the pendency of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, any Health Care Volunteer, as defined in Section 1 of this Executive Order, shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by such Health Care Volunteer, which injury or death occurred at a time when the Health Care Volunteer was rendering assistance to the State in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing services, assistance, or support consistent with current guidance issued by IDPH. This section is inapplicable if it is established that such injury or death was caused by willful misconduct of such Health Care Volunteer." - Office of Governor JB Pritzker (5/13/2020)

"The State Health Commissioner is authorized to waive the requirements of the nursing home certificate of need statute, as the Commissioner deems necessary to respond to COVID-19 issues for nursing homes and on terms and conditions appropriate for each situation." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (3/19/20)

"Waives requirement of pre-approval for hospitals converting non-isolation rooms to isolation rooms, so long as they send notice to ISDH and request an inspection. Waives requirement of pre-approval for hospitals converting unused or unlicensed space to temporary patient rooms. Specifies that room and units previously approved but not in current use may be operationalized without review or inspection." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (3/21/20)

"The provisions in Ind. Code… requiring a healthcare representative appointment be signed in the presence of the person making the appointment when the appointment is signed by a designee is waived when the person making the appointment is a COVID-19 patient..." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/23/2020)

"If a pharmacy student has successfully completed all required course work at an accredited school, has applied for licensure, and has supplied PLA a certificate of completion… the provisions… requiring the NAPLEX and MPJE exams be taken and a background check being completed, will be suspended." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/15/2020)

"To the extent in-person or live continuing education requirements cannot be met for calendar year 2020 due to social distancing requirements imposed under the public health emergency or to the cancellation or postponement of courses during the public health emergency, any credit-hour limitations on distance education courses... are waived." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/15/2020)

"Ind. Code… is waived to allow a home health agency to accept written orders for home health services from any licensed physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant acting within the scope of his or her practice authorized under state law." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/7/2020)

"Individuals who seek to provide health care in the State of Indiana in response to this public health emergency who are not currently licensed or certified to practice in the state, either because their Indiana license or certification is no longer active or they are licensed or certified by another state, may obtain temporary authorization to provide health care services..." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/7/2020)

"Suspend the provisions of Ind. Code… to the extent it prohibits the fill, refill and carryout of alcoholic beverages in bottles or containers--thereby allowing holders of on-permises permits to sell alcoholic beverages for carryout consumption and permit the filling of a container by the holder of a beer retailer's permit..." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (3/23/2020)

"Motor carriers and drivers of commercial vehicles traveling in or through the State of Indiana and who are delivering food, goods and items to Indiana businesses and entities for purchase or use by Hoosiers as well as delivery of items for emergency preparedness and relief supplies/services are exempt from regulations restricting their hours of services..." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (3/13/2020)

"In order to expedite and facilitate health care provider access to COVID-19 test results for their patients, Ind. Code 16-41-8-1 is waived to the extent necessary to allow the Indiana Health Information Exchange, Inc. to receive COVID-19 information in the Indiana Network for Patient Care database from the ISDH." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (5/8/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions... to the extent that they require a minimum number of hours of field experience if the higher education institution providing practitioner preparation program determines that the student has completed sufficient field experience to determine that the student should be recommended for licensure." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (3/17/20)

"I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions... implementing administrative rules which prohibit the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant, by a licensee whose license is inactive or lapsed. Suspension of these provisions is limited to licenses which have lapsed or expired within the five (5) years prior to this Proclamation..." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (3/17/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6 (6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code §§ 135.61 through 135.73 requiring an institutional health facility to obtain a certificate of need prior to operating additional bed capacity. Suspension of these provisions is limited to the duration of this proclamation and is further limited to the provision of medical assistance and treatment of victims of this public health emergency." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (3/17/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.9(1), requiring the clear definition of authority, responsibility, and function of each nurse, to the extent that there is evidence that each nurse has been assessed competent in any area where they function." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.9(8), requiring the nursing service to have adequate numbers of licensed registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other personnel to provide nursing care, to the extent that the hospital has made all reasonable efforts to maintain sufficient staffing levels." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.50, requiring minimum standards of construction for hospitals, to the extent that the Department of Inspections and Appeals and State Fire Marshal’s Office have approved the location as one that sufficiently addresses safety and comfort for patients and staff." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code rule 641-131.5(1) to the extent those provisions require in-person clinical experience, so long as alternative evaluation methods are used including but not limited to scenarios, case studies, or simulations. I hereby direct the Department to provide guidance to training programs regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/24/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code rule 641-131.4(1)(f) to the extent those provisions require successful completion of the NREMT practical examination to be eligible for state certification, if the department determines that the candidate has completed the cognitive examination and should be granted an emergency certification to practice in accordance with any guidance issued by the department. I hereby direct the department to provide additional guidance to candidates for certification regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/24/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code rules 650-1-1.2, 650-11.5, 650-12.1, and 650-12.4 to the extent an applicant is required to complete specific examinations as a prerequisite for initial licensure as a dentist or dental hygienist, if the dental board determines that the applicant has completed sufficient education and should be granted a temporary license to practice in accordance with any guidance issued by the board. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct the dental board to provide additional guidance to applicants regarding the effect of this suspension, including guidance on obtaining a temporary license." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/24/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Administrative Code rule 641-15.12(1), to the extent it requires a $25 penalty for each month or fraction thereof that the registration for a swimming pool or spa is not received by the Department of Public Health by April 30 or the first business day thereafter if the pool is closed during the month. I hereby direct the Department to issue a refund to any owner having already paid a penalty under this rule for the registration period that began on May 1, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (5/20/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code §§ 533A.2(7), 533D.3(7), 535B.4(2)(b), 535D.4, 536.30, 536A.32, and 543E.20(5) and Iowa Admin. Code rules 187-15.3(2), 187-16.3(2), 187-17.3(2), 187-18.2(2), 187-19.2(5), 187-20.3(2), and 187-25.2(3), which require the completion of background checks for initial applicants as a condition of obtaining professional licensure. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies governed by these provisions to, upon the expiration of this Disaster Emergency, conduct background checks for those applicants and take any necessary action resulting from completion of those checks, up to and including revocation of licensure." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (5/6/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 135B.20(1) and Iowa Admin. Code rule 481-51.1, and any statute or rule using terms defined in those provisions, defining a “doctor” and “medical staff” as requiring all doctors and medical staff be licensed to practice in this state, to the extent that individual is licensed to practice in another state or in accordance with Section 37 of the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on April 2, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.5(4), requiring written criteria for the granting of clinical privileges, to the extent that policies shall not be required to be rewritten to accommodate waivers provided by the State or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rules 481-51.14(3), 51.14(4), and 51.15, requiring procedures for authentication of verbal orders and standing orders, to the extent that hospitals comply with federal regulation related to such orders." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rules 481-51.20(2)(d), requiring maintenance of a current diet manual, to the extent those manuals would be maintained at surge capacity sites." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.22, requiring hospital equipment be selected, maintained and utilized in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, to the extent it is not feasible to do so." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.30, requiring a hospital to have written policies and procedures specifying the scope and conduct of patient care to be provided in the emergency service, to the extent that policies shall not be required to be rewritten to accommodate this public health disaster emergency." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-58.11(1)(i), requiring a nurse aide who has not completed the state-approved 75-hour nurse’s aide program be required to participate in a structured on-the-job training program of 20 hours’ duration, to the extent that the individual has completed a comparable training course approved by the department of inspections and appeals or has completed at least 20 hours of the state-approved 75-hour nurse’s aide program and the facility has documentation that it has implemented training and supervision measures to ensure the individual’s competency in any tasks performed... Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-58.11(1)(k), requiring that certified nurse aides who have received training other than the Iowa state-approved program must pass a challenge examination, to the extent that the individual is able to demonstrate competency in skills and techniques necessary to care for residents’ needs as required by 42 CFR § 483.35(c) and (d)(1)(i)... Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 441-81.16(3), requiring minimum standards for nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs the department of inspections and appeals may approve, to the extent that the program has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 231C.3(1)(c) and Iowa Admin Code rules 481—69.22(2) & 481—57.22(3) requiring an assisted living program and residential care facility to update a tenant’s or resident’s service plan within thirty days of occupancy or admission." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters §§ 147.2, 148.3, 148.5, 148C.3, 152.7, 152B.7A, and any other implementing administrative rules to the extent they prohibit the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant for an individual who has not yet obtained an initial license, if the licensing board determines that the individual has completed sufficient education and should be granted an emergency license to practice in accordance with any guidance issued by the board. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r 281-79.16(4)(a), 645-31.6(2)(b)(12), 645-280.6(3), 645-240.6(2), 657-4.3, 645-300.3(4)(b)(2), 300.6(3)(a), and 300.6(3)(d), requiring the completion of clinical, practical, or internship experience as a condition of obtaining professional licensure to be a school administrator, mental health counselor, independent social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, or speech pathologist or audiologist. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 155A.7 and any implementing administrative rules to the extent they prohibit a pharmacist who is licensed in another state from engaging in the practice of pharmacy in this state prior to obtaining an Iowa pharmacist license due to requirements that are unable to be satisfied due to this Disaster Emergency. Suspension of this provision shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any further extension of this suspension. I hereby direct the Board of Pharmacy to provide additional guidance regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 155A.8 and any implementing administrative rules for an individual who has not yet obtained an initial license, if the board of pharmacy determines that the individual has completed sufficient education, is unable to sit for the required exams due to closed testing locations, and should be granted an emergency license to practice until such time as the individual is able to sit for the required exams in accordance with any guidance issued by the board. I hereby direct the board of pharmacy to provide additional guidance to applicants and licensees regarding the effect of this suspension." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-280.2 and 645-31.18, to the extent that they require out-of-state marital, family therapy, and mental health counselors, or social workers who provide services by telephone or other electronic means to individuals in the State of Iowa to be licensed in Iowa." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 641-29.6(3) requiring an applicant for a license as a plumbing or mechanical system professional to complete an examination within one year from the date of the application. I hereby direct the plumbing and mechanical systems board to provide additional guidance to its applicants and licensees regarding this suspension." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 123.30(3)(c) prohibiting a holder of a class “C” liquor control license from selling unopened bottles of wine or alcoholic liquor for consumption off premises. Class “C” licensees may continue to sell beer for consumption off premises. Beverages may be sold if promptly taken from the premises, such as on a carry-out or drive-through basis, or if the beverage is delivered to customers off the premises. Suspension of this provision will now continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 123.130(4) and Iowa Administrative Code 185-4.6(3)(c) & (e) requiring that beer sold at retail at the manufacturing premises for consumption off the premises must be in-person and transferred to another container at the time of sale. Suspension of this provision will now continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code §§ 123.30(3)(c) and 123.49(2)(d), to the extent a class “C” liquor control license holder is prohibited from selling mixed drinks or cocktails for consumption off premises. Mixed drinks or cocktails may be sold if sealed with a lid or other method of securing the product and promptly taken from the premises prior to any consumption, such as on a carry-out or drive-through basis, or if the beverage is delivered to customers off the premises. Nothing in this provision alters or modifies the provisions of Iowa Code §§ 321.284 or 321.284A related to open containers in motor vehicles. Suspension of this provision is effective immediately and will continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"The requirements that a person appear before a Notary Public commissioned under the laws of Kansas… are suspended and such requirements are satisfied if the Notary Public performs a remote notarization via two-way audio-video communication technology…" - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/9/20)

"The order temporarily suspends non-essential fire inspections for new or renewal of KDADS-licensed facilities during the State of Disaster Emergency. The suspension will remain valid until 90 days after the State of Disaster Emergency is terminated, and all fees are suspended until that time." - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/12/20)

"This order will give nursing facilities the latitude to create alternate care sites or designated units to ensure safe care for all residents and support adherence to infection control measures…" - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/12/20)

"A temporary license, certification, or registration may be issued for persons who were previously licensed, certified, or registration issued by a Kansas state agency or any board, commission, division or other licensing authority within the State…" - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/12/20)

"Any fees associated with reducing, increasing, or modifying an adult care home's bed capacity, are waived until 90 days following the termination of the State of Disaster Emergency." - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/12/20)

"All state agencies shall extend renewal deadlines for any occupational or professional license, certificate, permit, or registration issued by a state agency or any board, commission, division, or other licensing authority within a state agency to any individual, business, or organization..." - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (4/9/20)

"Kelly signed Executive Order #20-13, extending tax filing deadlines to July 15, 2020, and waiving any interest and penalties for returns and payments made on or before July 15, 2020." - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/23/20)

"Subject to the requirements set forth herein, the provisions of K.S.A. 41-2653 are suspended to the extent such provisions require alcoholic beverages to be consumed on-premises and require the liquor to be sold it its original container, thereby allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages for carryout consumption and permitting the sale of liquor in a container that is not the original container for any establishment holding a class A club, class B club license, or drinking establishment license." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Any and all provisions in Kansas Statutes relating to supervision, delegation, and related issues by and to healthcare providers that are licensed, registered or certified and ancillary workers, are temporarily suspended, in whole or part, to the extent necessary to allow licensed, registered, or certified health care professionals to provide, within a designated health care facility at which the professional is employed or contracted to work, medical services that are necessary to support the facility's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are appropriate to the professional's education, training, and experience, as determined by the facility in consultation with the facility's medical leadership" - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or executive order to the contrary, and without the need for a clinical affiliation agreement, a designated health care facility is temporarily authorized… to allow students who are enrolled in programs to become licensed, registered, or certified health care professionals to volunteer or work within the facility in whatever roles that are necessary to support to facility's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are appropriate to the students' education, training and experience." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or executive order to the contrary, and without the need for a clinical affiliation agreement, a designated health care facility is temporarily authorized… to allow licensed, registered, or certified health care professionals and emergency medical personnel who are serving in the military in any duty status, to volunteer or work within the facility in whatever roles that are necessary to support the facility's response to the COVID-19 pandemic..." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or executive order to the contrary, and without the need for a clinical affiliation agreement, a designated health care facility is temporarily authorized… to allow medical students, physical therapists, and emergency medical personnel to volunteer or work within the facility as "respiratory therapist extenders" under the supervision of physicians, respiratory therapists, or advanced practice registered nurses." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Any and all provisions in Kansas law are temporarily suspended, in whole or part, to the extent necessary to allow health care professionals licensed and in good standing in any state or territory in the United States to practice in Kansas without criminal, civil, or administrative penalty related to lack of licensure." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Any and all provisions in Kansas law are temporarily suspended to the extent that they require for any health care professional, as a condition of licensure, certification, registration, or the renewal of a license, certification, or registration, or reinstatement within five (5) years of a lapsed license: an exam, to the extent that the exam's administration has been canceled while the emergency declaration is in effect; fingerprinting, as locations to have fingerprints taken are substantially unavailable on account of closures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic; continuing education while the emergency declaration is in effect; and payment of a fee." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"During the State of Emergency under Executive Order 2020-215, KRS 314.042(8), KRS 314.042(10), and 201 KAR 20:057, Section 7 are suspended. These statutes and the regulation require that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have collaborative agreements with physicians as a prequisite for the prescribing of legend drugs and controlled substances within the Commonwealth." - Office of Governor Andy Beshear (3/31/20)

"Issued an executive order allowing critical workforce sectors to rehire previously retired workers to fill key roles. The order, which last the duration of the state of emergency, applies to law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, park rangers and corrections officers." - Office of Governor Andy Beshear (3/31/20)

"The requirement… that each state agency or professional or occupational licensing board or commission that regulates the practice of a healthcare provider promulgate any rules necessary to provide for, promote, or regulate the use of telehealth in the delivery of healthcare services within the scope of proactive regulated by the licensing entity is hereby suspended during the term of this emergency declaration." - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/19/20)

"The ambulance staffing requirements set forth in R.S. 40:1135.1 (A)(2)(a) are hereby temporarily suspended as to ambulance drivers, provided that such driver possesses a driver's license valid in the State of Louisiana and meets the criminals background check requirements…" - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/19/20)

"All Public Post-secondary institutions and proprietary schools within the state of Louisiana that are licensed by the Louisiana Board of Regents shall be allowed to substitute in-person clinical and classroom instruction with online and lab simulations for enrolled students..." - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/19/20)

"The added language in sections 3329 and 4513 will address the public health emergency crisis that is taking place in Louisiana. In Chapter 33, section 3329 the board may extend the expiration of temporary permits for new graduates who have been unable to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam or reinstate an expired permit during a public health emergency." - Louisiana Department of Health, Board of Nursing (3/2020)

"The collaborative practice agreement requirements of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing for advanced practice registered nurses… are suspended for this public health emergency." - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/31/20)

"The requirements that a certified nurse anesthetist provide anesthesia care under the direction and supervision of a physician or dentist licensed to practice in Louisiana… are temporarily suspended…" - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/31/20)

"The requirement that an out-of-state registered nurse or an out-of-state advanced practice registered nurse obtain a license… in Louisiana… is temporarily suspended provided that such person has an active, unencumbered, unrestricted license… from any U.S. state, territory, or district..."

"Mandatory supervision or collaborative practice requirements for otherwise qualified physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses who are assisting or will assist in the health care response to COVID-19 are suspended during the public health emergency." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/20/20)

"A physician, physician assistant, or nurse who is licensed in good standing in another state and who has no disciplinary or adverse action in the past ten years involving loss of license, probation, restriction or limitation, and who seeks immediate licensure to assist in the health care response to COVID-19, shall forthwith be issued an emergency Maine license that shall remain valid during the state of emergency. All physicians, physician assistants, and nurses licensed under this provision may provide health care services in-person in Maine or across state lines into Maine using telemedicine or telehealth." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/20/20)

"All physicians, physician assistants, and nurses who have retired in good standing in this State within two years of the date of this Order and who have no disciplinary or adverse action in the past ten years involving loss of license, probation, restriction, or limitation with no outstanding complaints or open investigations shall have their licenses immediately reactivated upon request and such license shall remain valid during the state of emergency. License application fees for licenses issued pursuant to this paragraph are waived." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/20/20)

"All physicians, physician assistants and nurses licensed in Maine or authorized to perform services pursuant to this emergency order shall be allowed to perform health care services through the use of all modes of telemedicine or telehealth, including video and audio, audio-only, or other electronic media to treat the residents of Maine for all medically necessary services. The enforcement of state patient privacy and confidentiality laws to the contrary are hereby suspended for the purposes of responding to the COVID-19 emergency." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/20/20)

"Effective March 20, 2020 through April 30, 2020, the requirement to join the state's saltwater registry is waived. This temporary waiver is in conjunction with the Maine Department of Inland Fishery and Wildlife waiving the requirement for a fishing license." - Maine Department of Marine Resources (3/20/20)

"A. Any license of a polygraph examiner, polygraph examiner intern or contract security company issued by the Commissioner that is scheduled to expire during the emergency shall have its expiration date extended to 30 days following the termination of the emergency. B. Any license of a professional investigator issued by the Chief that is scheduled to expire during the emergency shall have its expiration date extended to 30 days following the termination of the emergency. C. Any license of an investigative assistant issued by the Chief that is scheduled to expire during the emergency or prior to the 180th day following the termination of the emergency shall have its expiration date extended to either the 180th day following the termination of the emergency, or for a duration equal to the number of days the emergency was in effect, whichever period is longer. D. During the emergency and for the period of 180 days following the termination of the emergency, the Board may extend beyond 180 days the 12-month periods in which full-time law enforcement officers must complete basic law enforcement training under 25 M.R.S. § 2804-C(l) and corrections officers must complete basic corrections training under 25 M.R.S. § 2804-D(l )." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (4/24/2020)

"This Order applies to all provisions of Maine law that require a signature to be acknowledged, witnessed or notarized in person, with the exceptions of: (a) solemnizing marriages, (b) administering oaths to circulators of state or local direct initiative or referendum petitions and nomination petitions of candidates for electoral office, and ( c) absentee ballots in state and local elections. This Order authorizes remote, not electronic, notarization. All requirements under Maine law pertaining to the taking of sworn statements and acknowledgments by notaries and those authorized to perform notarial acts, other than the requirement to appear in person, remain in effect during the effective period of this Order." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (4/8/2020)

"All Maine-licensed psychologists, psychological examiners, clinical social workers, clinical professional counselors, pastoral counselors, marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, chiropractic doctors, pharmacists, pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians, podiatrists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, speech-language pathologists, hearing aid dealers and fitters, audiologists, certified interpreters, certified deaf interpreters, limited interpreters, and limited deaf interpreters, athletic trainers, naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, dietitians, radiologic technologists, respiratory care practitioners, and certified professional midwives may provide necessary health care services permitted by their licenses through the use of all modes of telehealth, including video and audio, audio-only, or other electronic media. To the extent that requirements of any state patient privacy or confidentiality law, including but not limited to 22 M.R.S. § 1711-C, would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay the provision of health care services through the use of telehealth authorized by this Order, enforcement of that law is hereby suspended. This Order does not expand the scope of practice for any type of licensee... All Maine-licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians may perform veterinary medicine services permitted by their licenses through all modes of telemedicine, including video and audio, audio-only, or other electronic media, to treat veterinary patients of the state of Maine for necessary services. This Order does not expand the scope of practice for veterinarians or veterinary technicians." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (4/6/2020)

"The deadline set forth in 36 M.R.S. §652 for an organization or institution to file an application for exemption from property tax is temporarily extended from April 1 until the commitment date of the municipality or 30 days after the termination of the emergency, whichever occurs first." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/31/2020)

"A. The annual current use taxation application deadline set forth in 3 6 M.R. S. § 1109 (1) is extended from April 1 st until the commitments of the municipality or 30 days after the termination of the emergency, whichever occurs first. This includes the Open Space and Farmland tax programs. B. The annual current use taxation application deadline set forth in 36 M.R.S. §579 (2- A) is extended from April 1 st until the commitments of the municipality or 3 0 days after the termination of the emergency, whichever occurs first. This includes the Tree Growth tax program. 1 C. The annual current use taxation application deadline set forth in 36 M.R.S. § 1133 is extended from April 1 st until the commitments of the municipality or 30 days after the termination of the emergency, whichever occurs first. This includes the Working Waterfront tax program." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (4/9/2020)

"Enforcement of daily time of operation and day of the week restrictions in solid waste facility licenses… shall be suspended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/26/2020)

"The relevant provisions of Maine Revised Statutes... and related rules as they apply to mail order pharmacies, are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to allow any out-of-state entity, which is dispensing an investigational drug necessary to conduct a clinical trial, to ship the investigational drug to any Maine resident participating in the trial..." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/26/2020)

"Any inactive practitioner may, at a health care facility in Maryland, engage in activities that would have been authorized under his/her inactive license without first reinstating his/her inactive license." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/16/20)

"Maryland has removed limits on purchases of craft beer and distilled spirits purchased at tap and tasting rooms for the duration of the governor’s state of emergency, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced Wednesday." - Washington Post (3/18/20)

"Motor vehicles transporting equipment or supplies directly related to the COVID-19 state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency and needed to protect the public health, welfare, or safety are allowed a 15% tolerance above any weight limit imposed by statute." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/18/20)

"The effect of any statute, rule, or regulation of an agency of the State or a political subdivision inconsistent with this order is hereby suspended, including, without limitation, any statute, rule, or regulation that would prevent laboratories in Maryland from developing and performing testing for COVID-19..." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/23/20)

"An individual need not be in the physical presence of a notary public who performs a notorial act if: (a) they communicate with each other simultaneously by sight and sound through a communication technology…" - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/30/20)

"Restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other entities holding a State of local license to manufacture or sell alcoholic beverages… may deliver off-premises, or sell if promptly taken from the premises before consumption, alcoholic beverages in sealed containers to purchasers..." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/19/20)

"The Executive Director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services… may suspend the effect of any provision… upon a finding that such suspension will: (a) Not endanger the public health, welfare, or society; (b) Augment the emergency medical services workforce; and (c) Improve the response to the state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/19/20)

"Governor Hogan issued an executive order that amends the previous May 20 order regarding telehealth by expanding these services beyond audio-only methods. With this order, healthcare providers may engage in asynchronous telehealth services, such as email, provided that any and all telehealth practices are clinically appropriate, properly documented, and otherwise comply with proper standards of care." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (4/1/2020)

"In an urgent response to the coronavirus threat, the state medical board voted to let doctors treat more patients online, made it easier for them to practice at multiple hospitals, and vowed to speed up the licensing of medical school graduates." - Boston Globe (3/16/20)

"The new rule approved by the board makes it explicit that a doctor can treat a patient whom he or she has never seen in person as long as the physician considers it best for the patient during the health crisis." - Boston Globe (3/16/20)

"Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has… lifted local bans on plastic bags at grocery stores and pharmacies as part of his administration's latest steps to limit the spread of the coronavirus." - Boston Business Journal (3/25/20)

"Suspend the requirements for physician supervision and written guidelines for prescriptive practice for APRNs who have at least 2 years of supervised practice experience." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (3/26/20)

"On March 24, the Department of Public Health issued an emergency order exempting certain activities from determination of need approval, that are necessary to address COVID-19." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (3/24/20)

"All graduates of International Medical Schools who have satisfactorily completed at least two years of postgraduate medical training in a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association or in an accredited Canadian program shall be eligible for licensure. The Board shall review and approve such applications by expedited process." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (4/9/20)

"For the duration of the state of emergency, students who have graduated from registered nursing or practical nursing programs approved by the Board of Registration in Nursing ("Board") and senior nursing students who are attending the last semester of a Board approved registered nursing or practical nursing program are authorized to practice nursing..." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (4/9/2020)

"Individuals who have within the last ten years held a license to practice as a health care provider that was issued by a Massachusetts licensing authority, including but not limited to a state agency, a board of registration or division with licensing authority within a state agency, and whose license, registration, certification or authorization has expired, lapsed or been retired but is not revoked, suspended, surrendered or subject to any non-disciplinary restriction shall have their licenses immediately renewed or reactivated upon request..." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (4/3/2020)

"Through this letter, DPH authorizes use of space on, adjacent to, or reasonably proximate to the clinic premises selected by the clinic for testing of possible COVID-19 patients for the length of the declared state of emergency, provided that the clinic complies with the below Guidelines for Use of Space for Screening of Patient Presenting with possible COVID-19 Exposure or Illness, hereinafter referred to as Guidelines, and receives such local approval as may be necessary for the erection and use of temporary structures." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (5/12/2020)

"Pharmacy technicians licensed by the Board of Registration in Pharmacy ("Board") may perform remote processing of patient-specific prescriptions on behalf of a Massachusetts licensed pharmacy or health care facility without direct on-site supervision by a Board-licensed pharmacist." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/24/2020)

"A pharmacist holding a pharmacist license in good standing from a state other than Massachusetts may practice pharmacy on behalf of a Massachusetts licensed pharmacy or health care facility during the State of Emergency…" - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/24/2020)

"In the event a patient's prescription does not have any remaining refills and the patient's presciber is not available to authorize a new prescription, pharmacists and pharmacies are authorized to dispense a refill of medication for continuation of therapy for a chronic condition in accordance with the pharmacist's professional judgment." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/24/2020)

"Retail pharmacies and institutional pharmacies may engage in central filling activities of patient specific prescriptions or orders, including compounded sterile and complex non-sterile preparations. A pharmacy engaging in central filling for one or more pharmacies." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/24/2020)

"The Department recognizes the staffing challenges that programs face at this time. For this reason, the Department is temporarily withdrawing its BSAS [Bureau of Addiction Services] Staffing Guidelines requiring programs to staff to license capacity, and instead will allow programs to staff according to census." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (4/7/2020)

"The Department is issuing a blanket Waiver from the requirement that consultation [for acupuncture service] be provided “on site” and encourages the use of telemedicine as appropriate and in the discretion of the Qualified Health Care Professional." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (4/7/2020)

"Waiver issued to sections of 105 CMR 170.305 to reduce required staffing of each ambulance to one EMT and/or one Paramedic, depending on level of ambulance, with a driver who is a first responder, as defined in MGL c. 111, section 111C and 105 CMR 171.000 (excluding lifeguards)." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/20/2020)

"Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo today announced an agreement to extend the 2019 state individual income tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to July 15 due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This income tax relief is automatic and taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (3/27/2020)

"In response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency the Board is making available an Emergency 90 Day Limited License for medical school graduates who received an appointment as an intern, resident or fellow at a Massachusetts health care facility or in a training program approved by the Board." - COVID-19 State of Emergency the Board (3/20/2020)

"Effective immediately and continuing through April 14, 2020 at 11:59 pm, the Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) may issue an emergency certificate of need to an applicant and defer strict compliance with the procedural requirements of section 22235 of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended, MCL 333.22235, until the termination of the state of emergency under section 3 of Executive Order 2020-4." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/18/20)

"Effective immediately and continuing through April 14, 2020 at 11:59 pm, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) may grant a waiver under section 21564 of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended, MCL 333.21564, to any licensed hospital in this state, regardless of number of beds or location, for the purpose of providing care during the COVID-19 emergency, to construct, acquire, or operate a temporary or mobile facility for any health care purpose, regardless of where the facility is located." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/18/20)

"Effective immediately and continuing through April 14, 2020 at 11:59 pm, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs may allow a non-nursing assistant such as an activity coordinator, social worker, or volunteer to help feed or transport a patient or resident in a manner consistent with the patient’s or resident’s care plan." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/18/20)

"Effective immediately and continuing through April 14, 2020 at 11:59 pm, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) may issue a temporary registration as a certified nurse aide to an applicant, regardless of whether the applicant demonstrates to LARA that they have successfully completed the examination requirements of sections 21911 and 21913 of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended, MCL 333.21911 and MCL 333.21913." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/18/20)

"Strict compliance with subsection (3) of section 78g of the General Property Tax Act (“GPTA”), 1893 PA 206, as amended, MCL 211.78g(3), is temporarily suspended. As a result, the deadline by which property forfeited to a county treasurer must be redeemed is extended from March 31, 2020 until the later of (a) May 29, 2020, or (b) 30 days after the termination of the state of emergency under section 3 of Executive Order 2020-4." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/2020)

"Temporarily authorizes suspension of supervision and delegation requirements for Michigan APRNs by select facilities at which the professional is employed or contracted to work." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/29/20)

"Strict compliance with section 20954 of the Public Health Code, MCL 333.20954, and Rules 325.22321 to 325.22325 and 325.22336 to 325.22338 of the Michigan Administrative Code is temporarily suspended so as to permit the Department to waive verification of ongoing education requirements when reviewing an application for renewal or relicensure of an emergency medical services personnel license. If the application is for relicensure, the Department may only waive verification if the applicant has been licensed by the Department within the last five years. All emergency medical services personnel licenses that have expired since March 10, 2020 or that would expire during the declared states of emergency and disaster must be deemed unexpired and not to expire until six months after the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/7/20)

"Strict compliance with Rule 325.22112 of the Michigan Administrative Code is temporarily suspended so as to allow for the transport of a patient, whether emergency or non-emergency, to any destination designated by the medical control authority." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/7/20)

"The requirements administered by the Department of Treasury (“Department”) concerning licensure of motor carriers under section 5 of the Motor Carrier Fuel Tax Act (“MCFTA”), 1980 PA 119, as amended, MCL 207.215, are temporarily suspended and must not be enforced, along with any and all fines, penalties, or criminal sanctions under the MCFTA for violations of those requirements, for motor carriers providing critical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic during the declared states of emergency and disaster." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/7/20)

"Pharmacists located in any county in this state may dispense emergency refills of up to a sixty (60) day supply of any non-controlled maintenance medication for residents of any county in this state if, in the pharmacist’s professional judgment, failure to refill the prescription might interrupt the patient’s ongoing care and have a significant adverse effect on the patient’s well-being." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacists may temporarily operate a pharmacy in an area not designated on the pharmacy license, but they may not prepare sterile drug products beyond low-risk preparations, as defined by USP standards, for immediate inpatient administration in such temporary facilities." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacists may dispense and/or administer drugs as needed to treat COVID-19 pursuant to protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institute of Health, or as determined appropriate by the chief medical executive of the Department of Health and Human Services or her designee." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacists may substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication for a medication subject to critical shortages without the authorization of a prescriber. The pharmacist must inform the patient of any such substitution. The pharmacist must inform the prescriber within a reasonable period of time of any prescriptions or refills dispensed under this section. A prescriber must not incur any criminal or civil liability or licensing disciplinary action as the result of a pharmacist filling or refilling a prescription under this section." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"To increase the number of pharmacists who can serve patients during this time of need, preceptors may supervise student pharmacists remotely to fulfill eligibility for licensure and avoid delaying graduation." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacists may supervise pharmacy technicians and other pharmacy staff remotely. Supervision must be conducted through a real-time, continuous audiovisual camera system, capable of allowing the pharmacist to visually identify the markings on tablets and capsules. The pharmacist must have access to all relevant patient information to accomplish the remote supervision and must be available at all times during the supervision to provide real-time patient consultation. A pharmacy technician may not perform sterile or nonsterile compounding without a pharmacist on the premises." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacies holding a license, certificate, or other permit in good standing issued by another state must be deemed licensed to do business in this state. These out-of-state licensed pharmacies must not deliver controlled substances into this state; must abide by all Michigan regulations applicable to the practice of pharmacy, but need not have a pharmacist-in-charge with a license to practice in Michigan; and must hold a current accreditation from a national organization approved by the Michigan Board of Pharmacy before providing sterile compounding services to patients in this state." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Wholesale distributors holding a license, certificate, or other permit in good standing issued by another state must be deemed licensed to do business in this state. These out-of-state wholesale distributors must not deliver controlled substances into this state and must abide by all Michigan regulations applicable to a Michigan-licensed wholesale distributor." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"All health care providers are authorized and encouraged to use telehealth services when medically appropriate and upon obtaining patient consent. To facilitate the provision of telehealth services: Written consent for treatment is not required. A health care provider may obtain verbal consent for telehealth services and must document such consent in the patient’s file before providing telehealth services. Health care providers engaging in telehealth services may use asynchronous store-and-forward technology for the transmission of medical information. Providers may use interactive, real-time, two-way audio in combination with asynchronous store-and-forward technology. Remote patient monitoring, which may or may not take place in real-time, may be conducted as part of telehealth services. As used in this order, “remote patient monitoring” means digital technology to collect medical and other forms of health data from an individual..." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/14/2020)

"A physician is not required to conduct an in-person examination before prescribing medication or ordering the administration of medication, including controlled substances except for methadone." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/14/2020)

"Strict compliance with section 7a of the Child Care Organizations Act, 1973 PA 116, as amended, MCL 722.117a, is suspended as follows: A provisional license may be issued without submission to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) of an acceptable plan to overcome the deficiency present in the child care organization within the time limitations of the provisional licensing period. A provisional license may be issued with an expiration date no earlier than one month after the date of issuance and no later than six months after the date of issuance, and may be renewed at the discretion of LARA until the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster. Strict compliance with subsection (2) of section 5m of the Child Care Organizations Act, 1973 PA 116, as amended, MCL 722.115m(2), is suspended, as follows: An employer may establish and maintain a disaster relief child care center without a license from LARA. A school district or a nonpublic school may establish and maintain a disaster relief child care center in a school building without a license from LARA." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/13/2020)

"All state and local seasonal load restrictions are suspended for deliveries that meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and the prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; (3) food for the emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies, and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) persons designated by federal, state, or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/12/2020)

"Strict compliance with section 2 of 1972 PA 222 (state personal identification card), as amended, MCL 28.292, is temporarily suspended to the extent necessary to extend until June 30, 2020 the validity of a state personal identification card that expired or is set to expire between February 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/13/2020)

"All state and local road agencies must exercise their authority on an expedited basis to issue permits that allow non-seasonal load restrictions to be exceeded. These permits must reflect bridge weight tolerances, and they must apply to deliveries that meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and the prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; (3) food for the emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies, and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) persons designated by federal, state, or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/11/2020)

"All state and local restrictions on the noise and timing of loading and deliveries are suspended for loading and deliveries that meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and the prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; (3) food for the emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies, and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) persons designated by federal, state, or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/11/2020)

"Strict compliance with the annual-inspection requirements for life support vehicles and life support agencies under section 20910(1)(e)(iii) of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended, MCL 333.20910(1)(e)(iii), is temporarily suspended as follows. The Department of Health and Human Services (“the Department”) must inspect a life support vehicle or life support agency when the Department has reason to believe that the vehicle or agency is out of compliance. Any such inspection must, to the greatest extent possible, be conducted remotely, such as by videoconferencing, telephone conversation, and electronic review of required documents." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"Strict compliance with the ambulance-staffing requirements under section 20921(3) of the Public Health Code, MCL 333.20921(3), is temporarily suspended as follows. An ambulance must be not operated while transporting a patient unless it is staffed with emergency medical services personnel possessing at least the following qualifications: a. If designated as providing basic life support, with at least one emergency medical technician and one medical first responder. b. If designated as providing limited advanced life support, with at least one emergency medical technician specialist and one medical first responder. c. If designated as providing advanced life support, with at least one paramedic and one medical first responder." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"All emergency medical services personnel licenses that have expired since March 10, 2020 or that would expire during the declared states of emergency and disaster must be deemed unexpired and not to expire until six months after the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"Compliance with sections 20961(1)(a) and 20961(1)(d) of the Public Health Code, MCL 333.20961(1)(a) and (d), is temporarily suspended, so as to permit the Department to grant a license under Part 209 of the Public Health Code to an applicant licensed in another state without regard to whether the applicant meets the requirements of Part 209 of the Public Health Code and the rules promulgated by the Department for licensure or whether the state in which the applicant is licensed maintains licensure standards equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"Consistent with section 11(4) of the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.411(4), any emergency medical services personnel or life support agency that provides medical services in support of this state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is not liable for an injury sustained by a person by reason of those services, regardless of how or under what circumstances or by what cause those injuries are sustained, unless it is established that such injury or death was caused by the gross negligence, as defined in MCL 30.411(9), of such emergency medical services personnel or life support agency." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"As result of changed behavior in response to COVID-19, there is currently an unexpected oversupply of higher volatility winter-blend gasoline, which cannot be sold as of April 1, 2020 under standard vapor pressure requirements. Temporarily extending the period of time during which the winter-blend gasoline can be sold will enable distributors to safely shift to a lower volatility gasoline supply with as little in-person work and travel as possible, while also ensuring that this state maintains a reliable supply of gasoline adequate to meet its critical needs during this emergency... Rule 4(g) of Regulation No. 564, promulgated by the Laboratory Division of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 1987 AACS, as amended, R 285.564.4(g) of the Michigan Administrative Code, is temporarily suspended." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/30/2020)

"As the state continues to respond to COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is extending the Sales and Use Tax grace period on Sales and Use Tax payments for businesses identified in Executive Order 20-04. The department will not assess penalties or interest as follows: Identified businesses with a monthly Sales and Use Tax payment due March 20, 2020, will now have until May 20, 2020, to make that payment. Identified businesses with a monthly or quarterly Sales and Use Tax payment due April 20, 2020, will now have until May 20, 2020, to make that payment." - Minnesota Department of Revenue (4/9/20)

"Governor Walz today signed legislation allowing takeout sales of beer and wine from bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the Governor encouraged the legislature to take up the issue, the bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/17/20)

"Executive Order 20-37 extends the provisions outlined in Executive Order 20-06, which exempted COVID-19 response vehicles and drivers from certain regulations, including limits on weight and hours of service. This relief helps ensure the continued free flow of critical relief supplies and other essential goods during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/17/20)

"Executive Order 20-31 exempts septic tank trucks from seasonal load restrictions on Minnesota roads. Many residential septic systems are failing to keep up with increased usage due to more Minnesotans teleworking and staying at home. Septic system service companies are receiving a high volume of calls from homeowners in need of emergency pumping services and lifting these restrictions will allow them to meet increased demand." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/8/20)

"Executive Order 20-32 allows MDH to use regulatory flexibility to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by authorizing the Commissioner of Health to suspend certain requirements for facilities that fall within MDH’s regulatory authority. This includes waiving the bed moratorium for hospitals and nursing homes to add surge capacity and allowing the establishment of free standing alternate care sites." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/8/20)

"Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-27 to lift hours of service requirements for truck drivers transporting livestock feed or fertilizer, in order to support Minnesota’s agriculture community while they work to keep Minnesotans fed during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/3/20)

"Executive Order 20-25 extends licenses of peace officers, firefighters, and private security personnel and defers continuing education requirements for peace officer licenses that are set to expire soon. The Order allows professionals on the front lines of combatting COVID-19 to maintain their licenses and continue supporting Minnesotans during the peacetime emergency." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (3/31/20)

"Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 12.42, I authorize and request Out-of-State Healthcare Professionals who hold an active, relevant license, certificate, or other permit in good standing issued by a state of the United States or the District of Columbia to render aid in Minnesota during the peacetime emergency declared in Executive Order 20-01 (including any extensions of that peacetime emergency)." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/25/2020)

"The weight-related regulatory provisions of Minnesota Statutes 2019, sections 169.8261, 169.86, and 169.87, are temporarily suspended, to the extent that those provisions require a special permit or restrict the overweight movement of wood products, including biomass and forage, used exclusively for the composting process of animals that have been depopulated due to impacts of COVID-19... Motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to emergency relief efforts by transporting wood products, including biomass and forage, used exclusively for the composting process of animals that have been depopulated due to impacts of COVID- 3 19, are exempted from paragraphs (b) and (c) under the Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 395.3, which are incorporated in Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 221.0314, subdivision 9, pertaining to hours of service." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/24/2020)

"The licensure board is allowing out of state physicians to practice telemedicine without being licensed here, as long as they contact the board for authorization, are licensed and in good standing where they practice." - WDAM (3/16/20)

"This Executive Order temporarily modifies 1 Miss. Admin Code Pt. 5, R.1.5 for the duration of the State of Emergency and for fourteen days thereafter and allows notaries public commissioned under the laws of this State to perform a notarization for a principal not in the physical presence of the notary public..." - Office of Governor Tate Reeves (4/6/20)

"In order to cope with and respond to the COVID-19 emergency… provisions… are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to delay the expiration of all valid driver's licenses, learner's permits, intermediate licenses, firearm permits, security guard permits and ID cards set to expire between March 14, 2020, and June 30, 2020. Such licenses, permits and ID cards shall instead expire on August 3, 2020." - Office of Governor Tate Reeves (4/20/20)

"Any Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Facility, absent a showing of malice, reckless disregard or willful misconduct, shall be immune from suit for civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been sustained because of the Healthcare Professional's or Healthcare Facility's acts or omissions while providing healthcare services including, but not limited to, screening, assessing, diagnosing, treating patients for COVID-19 or otherwise acting in support of the State's COVID-19 response, including but not limited to acts or omissions undertaken because of a lack of resources..." - Office of Governor Tate Reeves (4/10/20)

"During this event, the Missouri HealthNet Division is: Waiving the requirement that physicians must have an established relationship with the patient before providing services via telehealth." - Missouri Department of Social Services (3/23/20)

"During this event, the Missouri HealthNet Division is: Waiving the requirement that, in order to treat patients in this state with telemedicine or telehealth, health care providers shall be fully licensed to practice in this state. MHD will allow providers to bill for telehealth services as long as they are licensed in the state in which they practice." - Missouri Department of Social Services (3/23/20)

"Montana Secretary of State’s Office announced Tuesday it will waive the late filing fee for businesses until July 15 in response to the emergency order related to the coronavirus." - Havre Daily News (4/8/20)

"The State of Nebraska is providing this same income tax relief to state income taxpayers. The tax filing deadline will automatically be extended to July 15, 2020 for state income tax payments and estimated payments that were originally due on April 15, 2020. Nebraskans who are able to pay earlier are encouraged to do so to help the State manage its cash flow." - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts (3/23/20)

“Our restaurants and bars have been some of the hardest hit businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Ricketts. “I've signed an executive order to help them by allowing takeout for pre-made cocktails and other alcoholic beverages as long as they are sealed with a lid.” - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts (3/26/20)

"The order is intended to activate nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and schools to help provide the care families need now. It eases the licensing requirements to open and operate a temporary, non-residential child care in an alternative setting. The executive order is effective immediately and will remain in place until 30 days after the State lifts the current COVID-19 state of emergency." - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts

"The Governor’s order authorizes the credentialing of retired or inactive health professionals who wish to serve Nebraskans during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emergency." - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts (3/27/20)

"The provisions of Neb. Rev. Stat.§ 71-5829.03(3)-(4) which require certificates of need for long-term care and rehabilitation beds and impose a moratorium on such beds are temporarily suspended in order to permit hospitals to add or convert any beds to long-term care or rehabilitation beds in appropriate locations to care for COVID-19 patients who no longer require acute care support and to prepare for patients who require longer lengths of stay for supportive care." - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts (3/31/20)

"The expiration date on all active business and occupational licenses, including those dependent on the payment of a renewal fee, regulatory fine, or submission of mandatory reporting forms, issued by the DMV for new and used car dealerships, salespersons, automobile wreckers and dismantlers, body shops, garages, emissions stations, emissions inspectors, drive schools, short- and long-term lessors, and salvage pools, are extended for a period of 90 days from the expiration date shown on the license or registration for those licenses or registrations expiring during the time period of March 16, 2020 and April 30, 2020." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (3/20/20)

"All statutory and regulatory requirements related to applications for Programs of Distance Education are suspended for the duration of the Declaration of Emergency regarding COVID-19…" - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (3/20/20)

"Any specific time limit set by state statute or regulation for the commencement of any legal action is hereby tolled from the date of this Directive until 30 days from the date the state of emergency declared on March 12, 2020 is terminated." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (4/1/20)

"The waiver and exemption of professional licensing requirements shall apply to qualified providers of medical services during this declared emergency who currently hold a valid license in good standing in another state, providers of medical services whose licenses currently stand suspended for licensing fee delinquencies, providers of medical services whose licenses currently stand suspended for failure to meet continuing medical education requirements, and providers of medical services who have retired from their practice in any state with their license in good standing." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (4/1/20)

"A provider of medical services during this emergency is authorized to supervise students in their profession to provide any emergency medical services as is appropriate to the student's knowledge and skill level without further licensure or certification." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (4/1/20)

"All providers of medical services in the State of Nevada are authorized to practice outside the scope of their specialization, within the limits of their competency, to the extent necessary to augment and bolster Nevada's healthcare system during the COVID-19 crisis." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (4/1/20)

"Temporary authorization for take-out or delivery beer or wine. All restaurants, diners, bars, saloons, private clubs or any other establishment that have both a restaurant license and on premise license from the New Hampshire liquor commission shall be temporarily authorized to allow for takeout or delivery of beer or wine." - Office of Governor Sununu (3/18/20)

"All medical providers shall be allowed to perform health care services through the use of all modes of teleheatlh, including video and audio, audio-only, or other electronic media, to treat the residents of the state of NH for all medically necessary services." - Office of Governor Sununu (3/18/20)

"Any out-of-state personnel, including, but not limited to, medical personnel, entering New Hampshire to assist in preparing for, responding to, mitigating the effects of, and recovering from COVID-19 shall be permitted to provide services in the same manner as prescribed in RSA 21-P:41 and any other applicable statutory authority with respect to licensing and certification regarding mutual aid during emergencies for a period of time not to exceed the duration of this emergency." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/13/20)

"Any state-owned properties that DAS, in consultation with the Division of Public Health and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, determines are suitable for use to assist in preparing for, responding to, mitigating the effects of, or recovering from COVID-19 shall be made available to the Division of Public Health and/or the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for this purpose, notwithstanding any state or local law that would restrict, delay, or otherwise inhibit such use." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/13/20)

"To ensure hospitals and other health facilities are able to adequately treat patients who may be infected with COVID-19 or who are legally isolated as a result of COVID-19, and to prevent overburdening of existing resources of hospitals and health facilities, the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services may waive any of the licensing or credentialing requirements of RSA Chapter 151 and accompanying regulations with respect to any hospital or health facility. Any waiver shall include alternative measures that, under the circumstances, will allow the facilities to treat legally isolated patients while protecting public health and safety. Any waivers granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be posted with the hospital or health facility's existing license." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/13/20)

"The Commissioner of Health and Human services, in consultation with the State Fire Marshall, shall have the authority, on a case by case basis, to waive licensing requirements for day care facilities to allow for temporary provision of child care by ( 1) employers for children of their employees; (2) licensed day care facilities in situations where temporary exceedance of maximum enrollment may be necessary; and (3) any other circumstance in which the Commissioner determines that waiver of licensing requirements is necessary and will not adversely impact child safety. The State Fire Marshall shall have the authority to waive, on a case by case basis, the requirements of the provisions of the fire code related to child centers, consistent with the provisions of this paragraph." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/13/20)

"In order to provide New Hampshire citizens and businesses with a secure and safe method by which to execute important legal documents, and to promote and secure the safety and protection of the people of New Hampshire, for the duration of the State of Emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-04 and subject to the provisions of this Order, a notarial officer commissioned under the laws of this State may perform a notarization for an individual not in the physical presence of the notary officer if: (A) the individual and the notarial officer can communicate simultaneously by sight and sound through an electronic device or process at the time of the notarization..." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"To promote and secure the safety and protection of the people of New Hampshire, all licensed New Hampshire pharmacists and pharmacies may compound and sell hand sanitizer over the counter…" - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"To protect the public's health and increase access to medical care in New Hampshire, and to promote and secure the safety and protection of the people of New Hampshire, any out-of-state pharmacy seeking to ship investigational drugs to clinical trial participants who reside in New Hampshire and who are unable to retrieve the investigational drugs from the out-of-state pharmacy due to the novel coronavirus shall be allowed to operate as if the out-of-state pharmacy were licensed as a mail-order pharmacy within the state of New Hampshire... " - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"To protect the public's health and increase access to medical care in New Hampshire, any out-of-state medical provider whose profession is licensed within this State shall be allowed to perform any medically necessary service as if the medical provider were licensed to perform such service within the state of New Hampshire..." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"To further the temporary remote instruction and support of New Hampshire children, in-state and out-of-state medical providers shall be allowed to perform health care services through the use of all modes of telehealth, including video and audio, audio-only, and/or other electronic media to New Hampshire children enrolled within a New Hampshire school or in a school in another state..." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"For any patient experiencing severe, advanced COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 complications who does not have the capacity to consent himself or herself to an experimental treatment, it is hereby ordered that the provisions of RSA 137-J:5, V(d) are waived and that an agent, as defined in RSA 137-J:2, III and RSA 137-J:5, shall have the authority to consent to experimental treatments, authorized by an Institutional Review Board, on the patient for COVID19 symptoms or complications for the duration of the State of Emergency as extended and in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 3 below." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (4/30/2020)

"To address staffing shortages at long-term care facilities and meet the needs of some of New Hampshire's most vulnerable populations, the position of temporary health partner is hereby authorized to work in a skilled nursing facility, notwithstanding any provision of RSA 326-B:14... The position of temporary health partner shall not be considered a substitute for the licensure under RSA 326-B:14 but is intended to assist the work of licensed nursing assistants. The temporary health partner shall not perform services independently, and must be supervised by licensed nurses at all times." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (5/11/2020)

"Authorizing the Division of Consumer Affairs to temporarily reactivate the licensees of healthcare professionals previously licensed in the State within the last five years. This will enable doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who have recently retired or have allowed their licenses to lapse to temporarily reactivate their license." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (4/1/20)

"Temporarily waiving certain scope of practice restrictions on Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) related to physician collaboration, including a rule requiring that an APN enter into a joint protocol with a collaborating physician and a rule requiring APNs to obtain authorization from a collaborating physician in order to dispense narcotic drugs.New Jersey Expanding scope of practice for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) Temporarily waiving certain scope of practice restrictions on Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) related to physician collaboration, including a rule requiring that an APN enter into a joint protocol with a collaborating physician and a rule requiring APNs to obtain authorization from a collaborating physician in order to dispense narcotic drugs." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (4/1/20)

"In a temporary rule waiver adopted today, the Division is now allowing supervising nurses to conduct required plan-of-care evaluations by phone or video-chat instead of in person. The change guards against the spread of COVID-19 from healthcare workers to elderly and medically fragile individuals by making in-person supervisory visits, which typically occur at least every 60 days, unnecessary." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (3/30/20)

"The Governor directed departments to identify opportunities to support broader access and departments have identified opportunities to do so, including the waiving of co-pays, allowing the use of telephonic telehealth and tele-mental health services, allowing patients to use services from the comfort of their own homes, and increasing flexibility in the technological platforms used to deliver services and more." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (3/22/20)

"Suspends requirement for NPs to have joint protocol with a collaborating physician, requirement for chart review, requirement for physician name on prescriptions, and waives rule requiring APNs to obtain authorization from a collaborating physician in order to dispense narcotic drugs." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (4/1/20)

"In the event of a State of Emergency as declared by the Governor of New Jersey in an Executive Order, that so significantly affects the ability of a licensed inpatient facility to offer its full array of services or forces it to evacuate its patients/residents, or causes a licensed facility to accommodate evacuated patients/residents from another facility, the Department of Health (Department) will not require prior Department approval of temporary waivers for the following requirements from licensed facilities that are affected by such an event: 1. Exceeding licensed bed capacity; 2. Bed additions requiring prior Certificate of Need approval; 3. Physical space requirements; or 4. Staff qualifications requirements." - New Jersey Department of Health (3/13/20)

"I direct the New Mexico Department of Transportation to create a streamlined process for Emergency Expedited Special Permits (EESP) that would allow overweight vehicles and loads that can be easily dismantled or divided to travel in New Mexico with a total gross weight with load up to eighty-eight thousand (88,000) pounds... To be eligible for an EESP, the applicant's vehicle and load must be primarily delivering relief supples." - Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (4/1/20)

"All nursing professionals who are licensed and in current good standing, in any province or territory of Canada, may be authorized… to work in any New Mexico healthcare facilities during the pendency of any declared public health emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (4/2/20)

"I direct the Secretary of TRD to issue an instruction to employees at MVD that temporarily waives the collection of all late fees or other penalties that are triggered by the failure of an applicant to timely submit an application or other required documentation for a registration, license, permit, or other privilege under the Motor Vehicle Code." - Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (3/30/20)

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that as part of the new state-mandated take-out and delivery-only rule, restaurants and bars would also be allowed to sell all forms of alcohol to-go. - New York State Liquor Authority (3/17/20)

"New York won’t enforce it’s recently enacted plastic bag ban for another two months, the state announced this week... pushing back the enforcement date from April 1 to May 15. While the ban went into effect at the beginning of March, the enforcement was delayed due to a suit brought on by New York businesses who argue they had little time to prepare. The suit is essentially on hold as the courts prioritize cases amid the coronavirus crisis and critics claim the ban is a health risk. Industry groups called the move a blessing for retailers as well as customers who are worried about using reusable bags at a time when contamination is a key concern." - NY Daily News (3/19/20)

Laws that mandate that the only cleaning products that schools and the state can purchase are those that “minimize adverse impacts on children’s health and the environment” was suspended. Similarly, the procurement guidelines on buying these products have been relaxed. - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/19/20)

"Twenty-one other sections of Social Services regulations and a couple of sections of Social Services law dealing with day care have been put on ice. These suspensions will end capacity limits for day care facilities, let children of any age attend them and eliminate mandatory staffing minimums." - Politico (3/19/20)

"Every state or local law dealing with construction, energy conservation, or building codes can be suspended by the Commissioner of Health when creating new hospitals or extensions to existing ones." - Politico (3/19/20)

"The Commissioner of Health will be able to establish a new training program that will let individuals who are not currently registered as nurses engage in tasks that one currently needs to be licensed for. They’ll be able to “collect throat or nasopharyngeal swab specimens” from potentially infected individuals and will generally be able to perform all other tasks “otherwise limited to the scope of practice of a licensed or registered nurse” as long as they’re being supervised by a nurse... People who are not licensed in the state as clinical laboratory technicians, but do “meet the federal requirements for high complexity testing,” will be allowed to preform Covid-19 tests. Doctors and nurse practitioners will be able to give nurses blanket authority to perform Covid-19 tests without supervision." - Politico (3/19/20)

"Individuals with disabilities will no longer need to be “accompanied by same gender staff” while being transported from state facilities. This will “permit providers to utilize staff members in the most effective means possible.”" - Politico (3/19/20)

"Physicians who are licensed anywhere in the country are now able to practice in New York without getting a state license. The same goes for other health care licensees. " - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/19/20)

The approval process needed for giving a patient a drug that’s not on the state’s preferred list is suspended “to the extent necessary to allow patients to receive prescribed drugs, without delay.” Also, a law that requires managed care providers to consult with prescribers before deciding whether to cover some drugs was suspended. - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/19/20)

"Paragraph 1 of Section 6542 of the Education Law and Subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 94.2 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to permit a physician assistant to provide medical services appropriate to their education, training and experience without oversight from a supervising physician without civil or criminal penalty related to a lack of oversight by a supervising physician." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/23/20)

Some limits on what kinds of vehicles can be on New York roads have been suspended, to let those “validly registered in other jurisdictions” participate in response efforts. - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/19/20)

"Any issuance of a marriage license application, marriage license, or witnessing or solemnizing of the marriage ceremony, that is required under New York State law is authorized to be performed utilizing audio-video technology provided that the following conditions are met: The couple seeking the marriage services, must present valid photo ID to verify identity whenever required by law the during the video conference, not merely transmit it prior to or after; the video conference must allow for direct interaction between the couple and the town or city clerk, the witness or the person to solemnize the marriage (e.g. no pre-recorded videos of the person signing or engaged in the marriage ceremony)..." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (4/18/20)

"Sections 6512 through 6516, and 6905, 6906 and 6910 of the Education Law and Part 64 of Title 8 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to allow registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners or a substantially similar title licensed and in current good standing in any province or territory of Canada, to practice in New York State without civil or criminal penalty related to lack of licensure..." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (4/16/20)

"Section 6801 of the Education Law, to the extent necessary to authorize licensed pharmacists to order COVID-19 tests, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to detect SARS-CoV-2 or its antibodies, and to administer COVID-19 tests subject to certificate of waiver requirements pursuant to the federal clinical laboratory improvement act of nineteen hundred eighty-eight, in patients suspected of a COVID-19 infection, or suspected of having recovered from COVID-19 infection, subject to completion of appropriate training developed by the Department of Health..." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (4/25/20)

"Subdivision (6) of section 571 of the Public Health Law, to the extent necessary to permit licensed pharmacists to be designated as a qualified healthcare professional for the purpose of directing a limited service laboratory, pursuant to subdivision 579(3) of the Public Health Law, to test patients suspected of a COVID-19 infection or its antibodies provided that such test is FDA-approved and waived for use in a limited service laboratory..." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (4/25/20)

"North Carolina temporarily lifted a regulation requiring hospitals to get state permission to add beds. The rule said hospitals couldn’t add more than 10% of their licensed bed capacity without state approval... Applying for a CON can cost as much as $500,000, and the state board which grants CONs doesn’t meet for months." - The Tribune Papers (3/15/20)

"DPS, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Transportation ("DOT"), shall waive the maximum hours of service for drivers prescribed by DPS pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-381. DPS, in conjunction with DOT, shall waive certain size and weight restrictions and penalties... for vehicles transporting equipment and supplies for the restoration of utility services, and vehicles carrying essentials and equipment for any debris removal in support of emergency relief efforts in the Emergency Area." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/14/20)

"Section 3 takes several actions meant to add additional health care workers to the North Carolina system. First, in Section 3(A), the Governor delegates to each professional health care licensure board the authority to waive or modify enforcement of any legal or regulatory constraints that would prevent: (i) Allowing practice in North Carolina by health care professionals that are licensed in other states, but not in North Carolina..." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Section 3 takes several actions meant to add additional health care workers to the North Carolina system. First, in Section 3(A), the Governor delegates to each professional health care licensure board the authority to waive or modify enforcement of any legal or regulatory constraints that would prevent: (ii) Allowing retired or inactive health care professionals to provide care..." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Section 3 takes several actions meant to add additional health care workers to the North Carolina system. First, in Section 3(A), the Governor delegates to each professional health care licensure board the authority to waive or modify enforcement of any legal or regulatory constraints that would prevent: ... (iii) Allowing skilled, but unlicensed volunteers to provide care; and/or (iv) Allowing students to provide care if they are at an appropriately advanced stage of professional study." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Section 5 suspends certain regulations that could prevent or impair providing mental health and substance use disorder treatment services and support services for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (“MH/DD/SAS” services). To allow MH/DD/SAS services to continue to be provided—and to authorize these services to be provided by telehealth..." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Section 6(B) allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive or modify the enforcement of regulations on initial assessments or supervisory visits, adapting those provisions for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is delegated authority to waive or modify enforcement of the following regulations: Regulations on initial assessment for agencies providing in-home aide services, including but not limited to 10A N.C. Admin. Code 13J .1107.; Regulations on supervisory visits for in-home caregivers, including but not limited to 10A N.C. Admin. Code 13J .1110.; Any regulations that are related to the provisions listed above." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Because of the COVID-19 crisis, private health care providers are facing extreme difficulty in maintaining their workforce. Section 6(C) allows private health care providers, other than child care providers, to avoid a problem indirectly caused by certain counties failing to offer fingerprinting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some counties currently fail to offer fingerprinting. Without fingerprinting, national background checks cannot be performed, although state background checks can still be performed. National background checks are required for certain new hires. Therefore, under Section 6(C), the Secretary of Health and Human Services is delegated the authority to give health care providers (other than child care providers) additional time to complete the national background check part of a new hire’s application." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

Burgum ordered state agencies to identify "any state laws, rules or regulations that hinder or delay their ability to render maximum assistance or continue to deliver essential services to citizens during the COVID-19 crisis. State elected officials and other executive branch offices were invited to do the same." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (3/20/20)

Burgum suspended several regulatory and statutory requirements in order to "allow for expanded telehealth services in North Dakota as residents practice social distancing and medical facilities try to limit in-person visits to slow the spread of COVID-19." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (3/20/20)

"The... executive order requires law enforcement agencies and private sector businesses to recognize any North Dakota driver’s license or motor vehicle registration that expired on or after March 1, 2020, as valid and current as long as the executive order is in effect." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (3/20/20)

"The licensing requirements for hospitals and other health care facilities… and all related provisions under the North Dakota Administrative Code are hereby suspended…"- Office of Governor Doug Burgum (3/20/20)

"The nationwide criminal history record check requirements under North Dakota healthcare or behavioral health licensing statutes… are temporarily suspended during this declared state of emergency." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (4/3/20)

"N.D.C.C. 54-44-04.6(3) [[Surplus property must be transferred at fair market value to state agencies, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations eligible to receive federal surplus property under the Federal Property Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended.]] shall be suspended as it pertains to the donation or transfer of surplus property that is directly related to the COVID-19 response, limited to, medical supplies or person protective equipment being transferred to the North Dakota Department of Health or other state agency, political subdivisions, or any eligible charitable organizations." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (4/8/20)

"Hospitals and physicians are permitted to access and use commercial laboratories for the analysis of COVID-19 tests to facilitate and maximize the testing of Ohioans. Physicians should monitor the time it takes to get test results and, if the time is unacceptable, healthcare providers should resume sending specimens to an Ohio hospital system laboratory or the Ohio Department of Health Public Health Laboratory for more timely processing." - Ohio Department of Health (4/20/20)

"The requirement for commercial motor vehicles traveling into or through the State of Ohio to file an application for and receive a single trip permit as required by section 5728.03 of the Ohio Revised Code and the International Fuel Tax Agreement is hereby waived for commercial motor vehicles engaged in transporting emergency relief supplies to affected areas of the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Mike DeWine (4/16/20)

"Any medical professional who holds a license, certificate, or other permit issued by any state that is a party to the Emergency Management Compact evidencing the meeting of qualifications for the practice of certain medical services… shall be deemed licensed to practice in Oklahoma... " - Office of Governor J. Kevin Stitt (3/17/20)

"Removal of barriers of entry for retired medical professionals from re-entering the workforce. Medical professionals who have lapsed or inactive licenses or certifications may have their single-state license or certification reinstated if they submit a reinstatement application and fee proscribed by their respective licensing boards and meet the qualifications for licensure or certification..." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"As long as this Executive Order is in effect a licensed physician shall be able to supervise any number of Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Practitioners, and shall be able to supervise the Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Practitioners using remote or telephonic means." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"State certificate of need requirements for adding beds are waived and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations, including waivers of certain regulations due to COVID-19 emergency, will pre-empt state statutes and rules relating to expanding capacity." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"Oklahoma State regulations requiring Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) certification for testing laboratories are hereby suspended until further notice for the universities named below and for the narrow purposed described herein." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"Any statutory or rule-based time requirements for completing training and becoming certified as a peace officer for duly appointed or elected peace officers during the existence of this emergency are hereby waived during the period of the emergency and for thirty days after the emergency is declared to be over." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"For the duration of the health emergency declared herein, any physical space offered and found to be safe for patient care by a Medicare-or Medicaid-certified and Oklahoma-licensed hospital (including psychiatric and critical access facilities) or skilled nursing facility shall be deemed an annex to a provider's license." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"Nik Blosser, Gov. Brown's chief of staff, said the state would immediately take steps to expand the health care workforce, by automatically renewing the license of any medical professional whose license had recently expired, for instance." - KGW8, NBC (3/16/20)

"Effective immediately today, until April 11 (two weeks from effective date), retail facilities of Class 1 flammable liquid transportation fuels [formerly] prohibited from offering self-service refueling shall: 1. Prepare, implement and enforce social distancing policies consistent with guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, 2. Require an attendant to be on duty to supervise self-service refueling consistent with the social distancing policies and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through sanitization measures, and 3. Designate an employee at each station to implement and enforce the social distancing policies." - Office of State Fire Marshal (3/28/20)

"Health care professionals licensed under any of the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) licensing boards can provide services to patients via telemedicine during the coronavirus emergency." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/18/20)

"Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request for a suspension to allow expedited temporary licensure to practitioners in other states to provide services to Pennsylvanians, for the duration of the coronavirus emergency." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/18/20)

"Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to allow the suspension of certain regulations concerning Certified Nurse Midwives. The Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs identified several regulations that could limit or delay the number of available practitioners to provide much-needed assistance." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/20/20)

"In order to increase the number of practitioners available to respond to COVID-19, Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to suspend the limitations on the number of institutions with which a medical doctor can be affiliated and the requirement to report those affiliations to the Board of Medicine for the duration of the disaster declaration. The Governor has suspended the institutional-license requirement that limits qualified medical doctors to practicing at no more than two (2) affiliated facilities." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/20/20)

"Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to suspend the requirement for physical presence of notaries who are court reporters/stenographers participating in criminal, civil and administrative proceedings in this Commonwealth." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/21/20)

"The Department of State has waived certain administrative requirements for nurses, including temporarily extending license expiration dates and waiving associated fees during the coronavirus emergency." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/21/20)

"In order to increase the number of health-care practitioners available to respond to the COVID-19 emergency, Governor Wolf has granted the Department of State’s request to suspend some licensing requirements related to psychology; social work, marriage and family therapy and professional counselors." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/22/20)

"In order to allow physician assistants practicing under the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine to more easily and effectively assist with emergency response efforts to COVID-19, Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to suspend requirements pertaining to written agreements and several other items." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/22/20)

"The Wolf administration is removing barriers for pharmacies to provide services for Pennsylvanians in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Governor Wolf has granted a request from the Pennsylvania Department of State to suspend certain pharmacy regulations to enable more flexible and available services during the coronavirus emergency." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/22/20)

"In order to increase the number of health care practitioners available to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and to ensure continuity of patient care and services, Governor Wolf has granted the Department of State’s request to suspend some licensing and regulatory requirements that will allow individuals in the healthcare field who have inactive licenses or have allowed their Pennsylvania license to expire, to seek reactivation and immediately resume work within their scope of practice, provided their inactive or expired license is/was in good standing." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/25/20)

"Restrictions requiring a CRNP practice within a specific clinical specialty are suspended. Restrictions which prohibit CRNPs from prescribing drugs outside of the established formulary are suspended. On an initial application for prescriptive authority, the State Board of Nursing will require only one collaborative physician and one substitute physician. During the emergency period, for changes to an existing prescriptive authority collaborative agreement (PACA), the Board of Nursing will suspend Board pre-approval requirements..." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/20/20)

"Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order to afford health care practitioners protection against liability for good faith actions taken in response to the call to supplement the health care provider workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (5/6/2020)

"Suspends or removes a host of regulatory barriers that would otherwise impede or prevent out-of-state, retired or other qualified practitioners from providing services where needed in the Commonwealth." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (5/6/2020)

"Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 841 today that helps local communities and businesses respond to the COVID-19 emergency and protect the public. The bill... allows remote public meetings and notarization of documents so online vehicle sales can resume." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/20/2020)

"The governor will sign Senate Bill 841 later today that approves qualified Pennsylvania notaries public to perform remote online notarizations, which will allow auto dealerships to conducted limited car sales and leasing operations through online sales, as a notary is required to complete the transaction." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/20/2020)

"The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today began accepting orders by phone for curbside pickup at 176 locations. Phone orders can be placed between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., or until reaching a store’s maximum order capacity each day. Curbside pickups will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. within a few days of order placement. Callers will be guided through each store’s unique inventory. There is a limit of six bottles per order, and credit cards are the only accepted form of payment. At pickup, customers will be required to present identification before the order is delivered." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/20/2020)

"“As we all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it’s critical for us to take action that will provide immediate relief for Pennsylvanians and our businesses,” Governor Wolf said. “In addition to extending tax filing and payment deadlines, we are giving taxpayers more time and flexibility in other areas so that they can concentrate on their well-being. This is a needed step that will help everyone during this uncertain time.” This temporary relief for taxpayers will remain in effect through at least July 15, 2020." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/15/2020)

"As part of the effort to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today announced businesses that collect Pennsylvania sales tax will not have to make Accelerated Sales Tax (AST) prepayments over the next three months. That means businesses that normally have a monthly prepayment requirement will not be charged penalties for missing the prepayment deadline during this three-month period." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/14/2020)

"The hospital and nursing facility licensing statutes and rules, including but not limited to the nursing facility bed moratorium statute and rules, and certificate of need statutes and rules, as well as R.I. General Laws 23-6-8 (requiring local authorization of a hospital or camp for communicable disease), are suspended with respect to all Rhode Island hospitals and nursing facilities solely to the extent the services they provide are in response to this Order." - Office of Governor Gina Raimondo (4/10/20)

"If, due to capacity, a hospital considers itself unable to provide inpatient care for COVID-19 patients at a level of quality available at other Rhode Island hospitals, patients may be transferred to the nearest hospital location or other appropriate care setting with the capacity to provide care at the community standard at the time, subject to patient choice." - Office of Governor Gina Raimondo (4/10/20)

"Nursing facilities may add beds and services and/or operate alternative nursing care sites, including quarantine step-down sites as defined by the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, to address the COVID-19 virus and hospitals may also provide nursing facility services on their premises subject to the approval of the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health." - Office of Governor Gina Raimondo (4/10/20)

"The following are deemed and/or affirmed to be "disaster response workers" entitled to immunity under R.I. Gen. Laws§ 30-15-lS(a) and to provide services beyond or without a license as permitted by R.I. Gen. Laws§ 30-15-lS(b}: a. All persons and organizations subject to this Order, including health care workers providing community-based health care, services at surge hospitals and services in existing hospitals, nursing facilities and alternative nursing care sites. However, nothing in this Order provides immunity to such persons and organizations, including health care workers, for negligence that occurs in the course of providing patient care to patients without COVID-19 whose care has not been altered by the existence of this disaster emergency. b. The landlords making the surge hospital locations and alternative nursing care sites available to the State, plus their employees, management companies and contractors providing services to construct, operate or decommission the surge hospital locations." - Office of Governor Gina Raimondo (4/10/20)

"The state medical board can expedite temporary licensure for out-of-state physicians, physician assistants and respiratory care practitioners within 24 hours... There will be no fee." - Office of Governor Henry McMaster (3/14/20)

"I hereby authorize and direct DHEC to suspend, for the duration of the present emergency, pursuant to Regulation 61-112 of the South Carolina Code of Regulations, any necessary and applicable provisions of Regulations 61-15 and 61- 16, which restrict the use of unlicensed beds or space, the conversion of single and double occupancy patient rooms to account for higher patient capacity, or the establishment of wards, dormitories, or other spaces not designated as patient rooms... I hereby suspend the monetary thresholds set forth in Section 102 of Regulation 61- 15 of the South Carolina Code of Regulations for items requiring Certificate of Need Review, to the extent necessary and applicable, so as to permit healthcare facilities to make those capital expenditures and acquire medical equipment deemed necessary to prevent, diagnose, treat, or monitor the progression of COVID-19." - Office of Governor Henry McMaster (3/19/20)

"I hereby authorize and direct the South Carolina Department of Revenue (“DOR”) to implement, interpret, and apply the provisions of this Order, as necessary and appropriate and in accordance with and to the extent allowed by state and federal law, in a manner that will facilitate current holders of a valid Beer and Wine Permit (“Permit”), as set forth below, selling or delivering beer and wine in a sealed container for curbside delivery or pickup and off-premises consumption." - Office of Governor Henry McMaster (3/21/20)

"The South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, including the State Transport Police, as needed, shall waive or suspend application and enforcement of the requisite state and federal rules and regulations pertaining to registration, permitting, length, width, weight, load, and hours of service for commercial vehicles and operators of commercial vehicles responding to the declared emergency in the State of North Carolina or otherwise providing direct assistance to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to protect public health and safety in connection with COVID-19." - Office of Governor Henry McMaster (3/11/20)

"I temporarily suspend the statutory provision… requiring healthcare providers to obtain a South Dakota controlled substances registration to engage in the prescribing, distributing, or dispensing of any controlled substance within the state, so long as the individual possesses a federal DEA controlled substances registration and a state registration in at least one other state or U.S. territory." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the regulatory provision… limiting the use of the ground component of an air ambulance transport only from a hospital to the airport and vice versa." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the statutory provision… requiring supervision of physician assistants and advanced life support personnel when caring for or treating COVID-19 positive patients during the COVID-19 State of Emergency." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the regulatory provision… requiring the physical presence of an occupational therapist on the premises where a patient is being cared for by an occupational therapy assistant." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the statutory provision… governing the requirement that schools licensed by the Cosmetology Commission may only conduct educational programs on the premises of the school." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the statutory provisions… governing the requirement that an application for a public grain warehouse license and grain buyer license be notarized." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

Gov. Bill Lee lifted licensing requirements for health care professionals to allow them to provide "localized treatment of patients in temporary residences." He is now allowing health care professionals who are licensed in another state to engage in the practice of their profession in Tennessee. - Executive Order by Governor Bill Lee (3/12/20)

"Related rules are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to give the Commissioner of Human Services the discretion to waive the child care licensure requirements, including requirements concerning capacity, care categories, grouping, license transfers, and drop-in centers, if necessary to respond to the effects of COVID-19." - Executive Order by Governor Bill Lee (3/12/20)

"The provisions... that set forth maximum height, length, and width limitations are hereby suspended in the case of vehicles participating in the response to COVID-19, subject to the following conditions: a vehicle must be transporting emergency supplies, equipment, or mobile structures to affected areas." - Executive Order by Governor Bill Lee (3/12/20)

"Waives the requirement that NPs file notice with the Board of Nursing containing the name of the nurse practitioner, the name of the licensed physician collaborating with the nurse practitioner, and a copy of the formulary describing the categories of legend and non-legend drugs to be prescribed or issued by the nurse practitioner. Waives the requirement for chart reviews. Waives the requirement that a supervising physician visit remotes sites every 30 days during the pandemic." - Office of Governor Bill Lee (3/19/20)

"The provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 19, Part 1, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-03-.01 through Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-03-.25, and Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.18 are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to relieve physician assistants from the following requirements: (1) filing a notice of authorization for prescribing form with the Committee on Physician Assistants containing the name of the physician assistant, the name of the licensed physician collaborating with the physician assistant, and a copy of the formulary describing the categories of legend and non-legend drugs to be prescribed or issued by the physician assistant; (2) having charts reviewed; and (3) having remote sites visited by collaborating physicians every thirty (30) days." - Office of Governor Bill Lee (3/19/20)

"The provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-11-1607, are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to allow hospitals that would otherwise be subject to certificate of need requirements to temporarily increase their number of licensed hospital beds at any location or temporarily establish hospital and diagnostic services at any location, if necessary for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, as well as to the extent necessary to facilitate activity authorized by the provisions of this Order and any subsequent order concerning COVID-19." - Office of Governor Bill Lee (3/19/20)

Under this waiver, restaurants with a mixed beverage permit will immediately be able to sell beer, wine, or mixed drinks for delivery "as long as they are accompanied by food purchased from the restaurant." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (3/18/20)

"Physician Assistants (PA), Medical Physicists, Perfusionists, and Respiratory Care candidates for licensure who have completed all other requirements may enter the workforce under a​n emergency license working under supervision prior to taking the final licensure examination." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/5/20)

"The Governor's waiver allows more flexibility between physicians and the PAs and Advance Practice Registered Nurses they supervise including allowing for oral prescriptive delegation agreements to enable rapid deployment of those practitioners during the emergency." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/5/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily waived certain regulatory requirements to increase the job capacities of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns. Under the Governor's waiver, pharmacy technicians can now accept prescription drug orders over the phone — a responsibility typically reserved for pharmacists. The Governor's waiver also allows pharmacy technicians to transfer or receive a transfer of original prescription information on behalf of patients. These two waivers can be utilized at the discretion of pharmacists. Additionally, Governor Abbott has waived certain regulations allowing pharmacy interns to assist pharmacists without the designation of preceptor." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/7/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily waived certain restrictions to allow Texas higher education institutions to transfer all unexpended student financial aid funds from the Texas College Work-Study (TCWS) program to other financial aid programs that do not have a work-study requirement to ensure students will continue receiving financial assistance. Those programs include the TEXAS Grant program, the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant program, and the Tuition Equalization Grant program." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/22/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has waived certain testing requirements for Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) as part of the state's response to COVID-19. As a result of this waiver, new APRN graduates who have applied for APRN licensure with the Board of Nursing and have met all licensure requirements except national certification may begin practicing under direct physician supervision. This graduate approval does not include prescriptive authority." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/22/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has waived certain regulations related to restrictions on physicians-in-training (PIT) permit holders in order to increase health care capacity through the state's response to COVID-19. With these waivers, Texas hospitals and facilities associated with Graduate Medical Education (GME) training programs will be able to utilize PIT permit holders, with proper physician oversight, in areas outside of their GME training program. For example, under these temporary waivers, residents in a surgery residency program can assist in an Emergency Department if a surge of patients is experienced. These waivers will increase the availability of medically trained individuals to help assist the COVID-19 response." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/11/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has adopted an emergency rule to temporarily allow more nurse aides to serve residents in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 response. The emergency rule temporarily allows nursing facilities to hire people to provide nurse aide services without having to complete a full certification program in their first four months of employment. This action will expand the eligible pool of direct care workers and help long-term care providers who may face critical staffing shortages." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/9/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily waived a series of regulations to lift certain telehealth restrictions and expand telehealth options as Texas responds to COVID-19. These waivers will allow a smart phone or any audio-visual, real-time, or two-way interactive communication system to qualify as a telecommunications technology that can be used to provide certain telehealth services. These waivers apply to speech-language pathologists and audiologists, behavior analysts, hearing instrument fitters and dispensers, and dyslexia therapists and practitioners." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/9/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott today suspended certain statutes concerning appearance before a notary public to execute a self-proved will, a durable power of attorney, a medical power of attorney, a directive to physician, or an oath of an executor, administrator, or guardian. These suspensions temporarily allow for appearance before a notary public via videoconference when executing such documents, avoiding the need for in-person contact during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/9/20)

"The order allows medical providers to offer a telehealth service that does not comply with the security and privacy standards required by Utah law, so long as the healthcare provider notifies the patient that the service they are using does not comply with those standards, allows them to decline using the service, and takes reasonable steps to ensure that the service provided is secure and private." - Office of Governor Gary Herbert (3/26/20)

"The suspension of enforcement of the following...: Utah Code § 49-11-1204(4)(b), to the extent it requires the participating employer to pay the amortization rate to URS; Utah Code § 49-11-1206(1)(b), to the extent it requires a participating employer to immediately notify URS of the reemployment; Utah Code 8 49-11-1206(3), to the extent it requires a retiree to report the status of the reemployment to URS; and Utah Code § 49-11-1207(1), to the extent it requires URS to take action regarding a violation of Subsection 49-11-1204(2) or (4)(b)." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (3/30/20)

"In order to better accommodate social distancing measures that help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Gary R. Herbert has issued an Executive Order suspending certain sections of state statute regarding requirements on signature gathering. Specifically, the order suspends the requirement that petition packets be bound prior to circulation and that a circulator personally witness each signature. Accordingly, the following actions are now permitted: 1) A candidate may send or make available an electronic copy of the signature page of a signature packet to any interested voter. The candidate is not required to furnish a cover page or circulator page to the interested voter. 2) An interested voter may print and physically sign the signature page. 3) The interested voter may send the pages back to the candidate via regular mail, fax, or e-mail. 4) The candidate may assemble any returned signature pages and then submit the signature packet to the election officer in-person or via designated agent. The packet does not require a circulator page." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (3/26/20)

"These orders... aim to help lessen the burden on establishments with liquor licenses, which are either temporarily closed or operating on a limited basis... Facilitate returns of product to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control by licensees impacted by recent health orders." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (3/19/20)

"I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, hereby order the following: 1. Executive Order 2020-7 is rescinded and replaced by this Order. 2. Enforcement of the following statutes is suspended: a. Utah Code § 26-60-102(9)(b)(ii); and b. Utah Code § 26-60-103(4)(a) to the extent that it interferes with a medical provider's ability to offer telehealth services." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (5/15/2020)

"I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, hereby order the suspension of enforcement of the following statutes as applied to a covered vehicle, as defined below: ... 2. Utah Code § 41-1a-201(1), requiring a motor vehicle, combination of vehicles, trailer, semitrailer, vintage vehicle, off-highway vehicle, vessel, or park model recreational vehicle in this state to be registered prior to operation by a person or automated driving system; 3. Utah Code § 41-1a-202(3), requiring a motor vehicle, combination of vehicles, trailer, semitrailer, or vintage vehicle to be registered within 60 days of the owner establishing residency in Utah; 4. Utah Code § 41-1a-218(1), requiring a person who, after making application for or obtaining a vehicle registration, moves from the address named in the application to notify the Division of the person's old and new address within 10 days of moving; 5. Utah Code § 41-1a-220(1), requiring the owner of a vehicle whose registration card is lost, mutilated, or becomes illegible, to immediately apply for a duplicate registration card; 6. Utah Code § 41-1a-703, requiring a transferee, before operating or permitting the operation of a transferred vehicle on a highway, to complete certain requirements, including obtaining a new registration for the transferred vehicle; 7. Utah Code §§ 41-1a-1101(1)(e) and (f), permitting the Division or a peace officer to seize and take possession of any vehicle or vessel operated without proper registration; 8. Utah Code § 41-1a-1303(1), prohibiting a person from driving or moving, and an owner from knowingly permitting to be driven or moving, upon any highway any vehicle of a type required to be registered in Utah that is not properly registered or for which a certificate of title has not been issued or applied for, or for which the required fee has not been paid; 9. Utah Code § 41-22-3(1)(a), prohibiting the operation or transportation of an unregistered off-highway vehicle on any public land, trail, street, or highway in Utah; and 10. Utah Code § 73-18-7(1)(b), prohibiting a person from placing, giving permission for the placement of, operation, or giving permission for the operation of an unregistered motorboat or sailboat on the waters of Utah." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (4/29/2020)

"Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the official launch of a new online system for license renewals. This new service comes at a critical time for Vermonters and dovetails with the Governor’s March 18 directive for the DMV to transition to online, mail and phone transactions to reduce the spread of COVID-19." - Office of Governor Phil Scott (4/10/20)

"I direct the Virginia Department of State Police (VSP) to undertake the following measure: Suspend the enforcement of Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections (MVSI) required under § 46.2-1157 of the Code of Virginia." - Office of Governor Ralph Northam (3/19/20)

""That order lifts our certificate of public need restrictions, so that our health commissioner can give hospitals and nursing homes the authority to add the beds they need without going through red tape," Northam said, during a Saturday morning press briefing. "They can act quickly to respond to the needs in this fast-changing situation."" - Patch (3/21/20)

"Under RCW 70.15.050, while an emergency proclamation of the Governor is in effect, a volunteer health practitioner who is licensed in another state may practice in Washington without obtaining a Washington license if he or she is in good standing in all states of licensure and is registered in the volunteer health practitioner system." - Washington Department of Health (3/2020)

"I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the above-noted situation, and under Chapters 38.08, 38.52 and 43.06 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a state of emergency continues to exist in all counties of Washington State, that Proclamation 20- 05 and all amendments thereto remain in effect as otherwise amended, and that Proclamation 20- 05 is amended to waive and suspend specified statutes and regulations that prevent, hinder or delay action that is necessary to increase the availability of long-term care facility beds required to meet the unprecedented demands being imposed on Washington State’s health care system by the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Jay Inslee (3/30/20)

"The bill passed at the most recent meeting has… allowed for delivery and carry-out sales by restaurants of beer/wine, if sold along with prepared food (pending written restaurant-by-restaurant approval by the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration)." - Council of the District of Columbia (3/17/20)

"Governor Jim Justice today announced that West Virginia residents can enjoy a month of free fishing. Beginning today through Friday, April 24th, the requirement to possess a fishing license to fish in state-regulated waters has been waived for state residents. Anglers must practice safe social distancing." - West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (3/27/20)

"The third provision of the order allows physicians with a pre-existing relationship with a patient to refill an existing prescription for a Schedule II opioid medication without an “in-person” examination but still mandates that the physician evaluate the patient by other means and determine whether a refill is safe and appropriate in the physician’s judgment." - Office of Governor Jim Justice (3/31/20)

"Any health care provider with a valid and current license issued by another state may practice under that license and within the scope of that license in Wisconsin without first obtaining a temporary or permanent license." - Office of Governor Tony Evers (3/27/20)

"The following language is suspended: "providing such practice is entirely limited to the medical education facility, medical research facility, or medical school where the license holder is teaching, conducting research, or practicing medicine and surgery, and is limited to the terms and restrictions established by the board."" - Office of Governor Tony Evers (3/27/20)

"A physician providing telemedicine in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient who is located in this state must have a valid and current license issues by this State, another state, or Canada." - Office of Governor Tony Evers (3/27/20)

"The following language is suspended: "and may not exceed the scope of practice of the physician or podiatrist providing supervision. A medical care task assigned by the supervising physician or podiatrist to a physician assistant may not be delegated by the physician assistant to another person."" - Office of Governor Tony Evers (3/27/20)

"This bill establishes a civil liability exemption for persons who manufacture, distribute, or sell emergency medical supplies to respond to the public health emergency during the public health emergency related to COVID-19 declared by the federal secretary of health and human services or the national emergency related to COVID-19 declared by the president." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"The bill also provides that any charitable organization that distributes free of charge emergency medical supplies received from a manufacturer, distributor, or seller is immune from civil liability for a death or injury caused by the emergency medical supplies." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill creates an alternative authorization for a pharmacist to extend a prescription during the period covered by a public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, and for 30 days after the conclusion of that public health emergency." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill conforms state law for instructional programs for nurse aides to the federal law requirements for Medicare and Medicaid. Specifically, the bill prohibits DHS from requiring an instructional program to exceed the federally required minimum total training hours or minimum hours of supervised practical training, which is clinical experience, specified in the federal regulation. The current federal regulation requires no less than 75 hours of training with at least 16 of those hours being supervised practical training." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) today announced two pilot programs that will safely address a backlog of demand: Individuals under age 18, who successfully complete their required training and have the endorsement of a parent or guardian will be able to get their probationary driver license without completing a road test." - Wisconsin Department of Transportation (5/5/2020)

"This bill provides immunity from civil liability for health care professionals and providers and employees, agents, or contractors of those professionals or providers for death, injury, or damages caused by actions or omissions taken in providing services to address or in response to a 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak during an emergency or disaster declared relating to the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic. To be immune from civil liability, the actions or omissions must not involve reckless or wanton conduct or intentional misconduct and must occur during a good faith response to the emergency or be substantially consistent with either a direction, guidance, recommendation, or other statement made by a federal, state, or local official to address or in response to the emergency or disaster or any published guidance of DHS or the federal Department of Health and Human Services relied upon in good faith." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill prohibits DHS from requiring an ambulance service provider, emergency medical services practitioner, or emergency medical responder that holds a credential to renew the credential or to meet renewal requirements during the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72... This bill exempts certain health care provider credentials issued by credentialing boards in the Department of Safety and Professional Services from having to be renewed during the period covered by the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, through the 60th day after the conclusion of that emergency (exemption period)." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill authorizes former health care providers to obtain a temporary credential granted by DSPS and provide health care services for which they have been previously licensed or certified. Under the bill, DSPS may grant a temporary credential to a person who applies and was at any time during the previous five years, but is not currently, any of the following, if the person's credential was never revoked, limited, suspended, or denied renewal: 1) a physician, physician assistant, or perfusionist; 2) a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or nurse-midwife; 3) a dentist; 4) a pharmacist; 5) a psychologist; 6) a social worker; 7) a marriage and family therapist; 8) a professional counselor; 9) a clinical substance abuse counselor; or 10) a practitioner holding a credential to practice a profession identified by DHS." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill authorizes health care providers licensed in another state or territory to obtain a temporary credential granted by DSPS and provide health care services for which they are licensed or certified. Under the bill, DSPS may grant a temporary credential to a person who applies and holds a valid, unexpired credential granted by another state or territory that authorizes the person to act as any of the following: 1) a physician, physician assistant, or perfusionist; 2) a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or nurse-midwife; 3) a dentist; 4) a pharmacist; 5) a psychologist; 6) a social worker; 7) a marriage and family therapist; 8) a professional counselor; 9) a clinical substance abuse counselor; or 10) a practitioner holding a credential to practice a profession identified by DHS." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill authorizes state agencies, authorities, local governments, the legislature, and the courts to suspend, during the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, deadlines and training requirements that they administer or enforce. The bill excludes deadlines relating to the filing or payment of taxes and deadlines relating to an election." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"Requires Level I local health departments to conduct a community health assessment at least every five years. Suspended as follows: "Conduct a community health assessment resulting in a community health improvement plan at least every 5 years."" - Office of Governor Tony Evers (5/4/2020)

"Requires Level I local health departments to develop a community health improvement plan at least every five years. Suspended as follows: "Develop a written community health improvement plan at least every 5 years, by assessing applicable data, developing measurable health objectives, and partnering with persons, agencies, and organizations to cultivate community ownership throughout the entire development and implementation of the plan."" - Office of Governor Tony Evers (5/4/2020)

"Sets staffing requirements for clinics. Suspended as follows: (2) In addition to the clinic administrator, the clinic shall have a sufficient number of qualified staff members available to provide outpatient mental health services to consumers admitted to care. Except as provided ins. DHS 35. 12 (2m), the clinic shall implement any one of the following minimum staffing combinations to provide outpatient mental health services: (a) Two or more licensed treatment professionals v.rho combined are available to provide outpatient mental health services at least 60 hours per 'Neek. (b) One or more licensed treatment professionals who combined are available to provide outpatient mental health services at least 30 hours per week and one or more mental health practitioners or recognized psychotherapy practitioners who combined are available to provide outpatient mental health services at least 30 hours per week. (c) One or more licensed treatment professionals v.rho combined are available to provide outpatient mental health services at least 37.5 hours per week, and at least one psychiatrist or advanced practice nurse prescriber who provides outpatient mental health services to consumers of the clinic at least 4 hours per month." - Office of Governor Tony Evers (5/4/2020)

"Describes how clinical supervision shall be accomplished. Suspended as follows: "(d) Clinical supervision shall be accomplished by one or more of the following means: 1. Individual, face to face sessions with staff to review cases, assess performance and give feedback; 2. Individual, side by side sessions in which the supervisor accompanies an individual staff member to meet with individual clients in regularly scheduled sessions or crisis situations and in which the supervisor assesses, teaches and gives feedback regarding the staff member's performance regarding the particular client; or 3. Regular client report or review staff meetings and treatment planning staff meetings to review and assess staff performance and provide staff direction regarding individual cases. (e) For every 20 clients or every 4 0 hours of direct service in the CSP, the clinical supervisor shall spend at least 4 hours a weekly: providing supervision." - Office of Governor Tony Evers (5/4/2020)

"Sets requirements for in-person written examinations for operator certification for waterworks operators. Status: Suspended in part as follows: “Examinations and on-the-job experience shall be used to determine knowledge, skill and ability of the applicant to perform duties at a waterworks. A score of 75% or higher shall be a passing score on each written examination. An applicant desiring to be certified to perform duties at a waterworks shall submit a completed application to the department at least 28 days prior to the established date of a written examination on an application form provided by the department. Fees as outlined in s. NR 114.06 shall accompany the application. Applicants shall be notified of their eligibility for examination.” - Office of Governor Tony Evers (4/17/2020)

"Requires University of Wisconsin System unclassified staff report outside activities annually by April 30. Status: Suspended in part as follows: “Each unclassified staff member engaging in outside activities reportable under this section shall annually, on or before April 30, file a report of outside activities with his or her dean, director or other appropriate administrator.” - Office of Governor Tony Evers (4/17/2020)

"The Department of Transportation Director, or his designee, shall allow a ninety (90) day grace period from the expiration date of Wyoming driver licenses and identification cards expiring between March 15, 2020, and June 1, 2020, to reduce the burden on members of the public and to limit interaction with state employees and governmental offices." - Office of Governor Mark Gordon (3/24/20)

"For the next thirty days, businesses in Albuquerque will temporarily be allowed to use any type of plastic bag for their customers and the City’s Environmental Health Department will suspend enforcement of the plastic bag ban citywide. Businesses are still encouraged to use paper bags if available." - City of Albuquerque (3/26/20)

"Mayor Sean Flower was concerned curbside and delivery food services would not be enough to keep these independent restaurants operating, so he stepped in and made the decision to pass an executive order that allows restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages [through curbside or delivery]." - Fox 2 Now (3/27/20)

The order modified "any and all City of Los Angeles regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages to “allow (i) sales of alcoholic beverages by restaurants for off-site consumption are hereby permitted for delivery and take-out and (ii) sales, by retail stores, of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption, including deliveries and extended sales hours, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily." - Office of Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti (3/23/20)

The order also provides that, “Parking enforcement will be relaxed and an extended grace period will be given to vehicles owned and operated by employees or employers who are engaged in manufacturing or healthcare activities listed as essential under the March 15, 2020 Public Order Under City of Los Angeles Emergency Authority and located in permanent or temporary industrial, manufacturing, or commercial zones of the City of Los Angeles.” - Office of Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti (3/23/20)

"Because of the economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on Manteno businesses, village board members have agreed to waive all liquor license permit fees and gaming/amusement permit license fees for the fiscal year 2021, which begins May 1, 2020." - Daily Journal (4/3/20)

"The City of Pocatello is waiving the three percent credit/debit card processing charge for payments made to the City of Pocatello. The charge was previously applied to all credit/debit card transactions. The charge was added to credit/debit card payments in October 2019 to help offset the processing costs incurred by the City for those types of payments." - East Idaho News (4/6/20)

"Any sale of sealed cans or bottles of alcoholic beverages to customers taking delivery of prepared food from a restaurant within the City, also licensed to serve on-sale alcoholic beverages by way of “take-out,” “curbside delivery,” “drive-through,” or by other lawful means of delivery shall be deemed to be “on-sale” service or sale of such alcoholic beverages. Delivery of prepared food without any accompanied sale of alcoholic beverages may be delivered by agents or third party delivery services. Employees who deliver alcoholic beverages must be at least twenty-one (21) years old and be able to provide proof of age if asked by the City of West Fargo." - City of West Fargo (3/25/20)

"The “bag ban” restricts businesses from distributing single-use plastic bags under certain circumstances. It was originally slated to start July 1, but the council voted Monday, May 11, to push it back one year to July 1, 2021. Westminster was the third municipality in Maryland to adopt a plastic bag ban. The postponement was motivated by the effect on businesses whose operations will likely still be affected by the coronavirus come July 1. The council also considered that many consumers and retailers are not comfortable with bringing reusable bags into stores at this time, which partially eliminates one of the alternatives to single-use plastic bags." - Carroll County Times (5/15/2020)

This list will be updated constantly as rules continue to be suspended. If you know of a rule suspension not included above, please send to ideas@atr.org.

Ronald Reagan paved the path to the WTO. Motivated by an ambition to counter unfair trade, Reagan declared “if trade is not fair for all, then trade is free in name only. I will not stand by and watch American businesses fail because of unfair trading practices abroad.

I will not stand by and watch American workers lose their jobs because other nations do not play by the rules.” Later Reagan launch the Uruguay round GATT negotiations that eventually concluded with the forming of the WTO in 1995 charged with guarding a rules-based trading system with a focus on reducing barriers to trade. Through his insistence negotiating objectives included dramatic lowering of global tariff rates, ensuring national treatment of traded goods, and protection of intellectual property.

By no means has the WTO achieved free-trade or eradicated all unfair trade practices. Recently, Senator Josh Hawley raised some common shortcomings of the WTO in a NYT op-ed, and concluded that it should be abolished. His concerns center on the fact that China, which acceded to the WTO, continues to violate the international trade system's norms without making expected market or democratic reforms. He notes that China uses forced labor and theft of intellectual property with impunity. In return, he claims, the U.S. has seen a flight of jobs overseas, and U.S. agriculture has been undercut at home due to imports.

This contrasts with what Trump’s chief trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, testified to the Senate Finance Committee that “if we did not have the WTO, we would need to invent it” as it “offers many opportunities for the United States to advance our interests on trade.” It is also not legally possible to abolish the WTO unilaterally. Instead, a few days later, Hawley introduced a bill to take the U.S. out of the WTO. Such a joint resolution is unamendable, does not require committee approval, and cannot be delayed. In other words, if Hawley’s resolution reaches the Senate floor within 90 legislative days after the submission of USTR’s February 28 report, it will force a Senate referendum on the merits of the United States remaining in the WTO.

Hawley’s concerns are legitimate. It’s worth considering if leaving the WTO would resolve the issues he raises while avoiding harmful unintentional consequences.

Overall, since the founding of the WTO, global tariffs have been cut in half, global trade increased from $58 billion in 1948 to above $20 trillion today. Global trade openness, the sum of imports and exports as a share of global GDP increased from 5 percent to 22 percent (peaking just before the financial crisis). U.S. has reaped the most economic value from membership adding $87 billion to the economy. While those left outside the WTO have seen their exports decrease and GDP contract.

Inside the WTO, U.S. exports benefit from a relatively low Most-Favored Nation tariff rate imposed by partners and U.S. importers from a very low average 3.3% MFN tariff rate imposed by Washington D.C. Outside the WTO, imports to the U.S. will face an average 32% tariff rate. U.S. exports will also face discriminatory tariff rates imposed by other countries and designed with same goal in mind- to encourage membership in the trade organization.

Inside the WTO the U.S. benefits from lower trade barriers with all 164 country members, allowing our market-based economy to concentrate on working to its comparative advantage. Since joining the WTO, industrial output increased 50%, 32 million jobs have been added, and nonfarm compensation has risen 32%.

As a member of the WTO the U.S. has access to a predictable process-oriented dispute resolution system. The U.S. wins 85.4 percent of its WTO dispute cases. In particular, the United States gets good results, when defending its own policies towards China. Between 2002-2018 the US had won 11of out 24 cases against China.

Indeed, the system could be improved to further restrain bad actors, reform appellate panel decisions, and address unresolved trade barriers such as subsidies and e-commerce. Outside the WTO, the U.S. will be immediately hit with higher tariffs and be exposed to an even more illiberal trade order. It would create radical uncertainty in the markets undermining our comparative advantage and provide little certainty towards resolving trade disputes.

Persistent, illicit trade practices and stalled reforms at the WTO seriously hinder American importers and exporters from experiencing the full benefits of a free market. However, it is not clear that withdrawal from or abolishment of the WTO will resolve these issues or avoid creating new barriers.

Americans for Tax Reform recognizes the Georgia, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, and West Virginia incumbents and candidates who have taken the Taxpayer Protection Pledge ahead of the June 9 primary election. The Pledge is a written commitment to hardworking taxpayers and to the American people to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”

“By signing The Pledge to the voters, these candidates and incumbents demonstrate that they will safeguard taxpayers from higher taxes,” said Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. “Pledge signers understand that government should be reformed in a way so that it spends and takes less taxpayer dollars, and will oppose tax increases that prolong failures of the past.”

New candidates sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge regularly. For the most up-to-date information on this race or any other, please visit the ATR Pledge Database.

This legislation restores congressional intent over the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by allowing small businesses to deduct business expenses paid using loans received through the program.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created the PPP to provide small businesses impacted by COVID-19 with emergency liquidity so they could continue making payroll and meeting other business expenses.

However, on April 30, the IRS released Notice 2020-32, which prohibited businesses from deducting expenses paid with a PPP loan such as payroll, rent, and utility expenses, even though these expenses would otherwise qualify as ordinary, tax deductible business expenses.

Denying the ability of small businesses to deduct expenses paid with PPP loans will impose an additional tax burden on these businesses that will erode a portion of the financial assistance granted through the program. This will only harm small businesses across the country as they attempt to survive and re-engage in commerce in the wake of the pandemic. A recent second tranche of PPP loans averaged just $79,000 per business, so the financial assistance businesses receive is relatively modest.

The IRS Notice clearly disregards Congressional intent as Section 1106(i) of the CARES Act clearly states that any PPP loan should be exempt from taxation if such loan is forgiven. Further, Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle recently urged Treasury to reverse course, noting that the IRS Notice “ignores the overarching intent of the PPP, as well as the specific intent of Congress to allow deductions in the case of PPP loan recipients.”

Congress should pass the Small Business Expense Protection Act. This legislation will uphold Congressional intent by allowing small businesses to deduct business expenses paid by PPP loans, a measure that will ensure businesses do not face additional taxation from COVID-19 relief measures.

The Trump administration is expanding options for retirement savings by allowing Americans with a 401k to invest in private equity funds.

The Department of Labor (DOL) today announced it is issuing guidance allowing private equity investments to be a component of professionally managed investment funds offered to Americans with a defined contribution benefit plan.

Previously, Americans with a 401(k) were unable to invest in private equity funds, even though this investment option was widely used by public pension funds and large investors. The Trump administration’s deregulatory action will open up private equity investment to the roughly 80 million American families and individuals that actively participate in a 401k or other defined benefit plan.

“The Trump Administration’s decision to allow Americans to invest in private equity with their 401(k)s is a big win that will give every family saving for retirement more options,” said Grover Norquist, President for Americans for Tax Reform. “Big pension plans already had this option. Now everyone does.”

Today, ATR President Grover Norquist sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in support of the Section 301 investigations into the Digital Services Tax efforts of nine countries and the European Union. The full text of the letter can be read below, and here.

Dear Representative Lighthizer:

I support and commend your efforts to initiate 301 investigations into Digital Services Taxes that have been adopted or are being considered by the European Union, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Turkey, Italy and Brazil.

Numerous countries are violating the international rules governing tax jurisdictions. It is the dream of every politician to tax people who cannot vote him or her out of office.

The already imposed or considered Digital Services Taxes are designed in a way to exclusively target American companies as there is no comparable digital industry in those nine countries listed above and the European Union.

Any Digital Services Tax will impose a financial burden on American companies and workers.

Digital Services Taxes pose unprecedented dangers to tax competition, innovation, and American and worldwide economic growth. The new

taxes represent a dramatic and irreversible shift for the international tax

system. We had hoped that the escalation of this issue could be avoided. These taxes damage the relationships with the United States and could lead to a spiral of retaliation.

It is of the utmost importance for the United States to make its voice heard on every level and to take stronger action in order to counsel

those countries and the European Union to refrain from their unilateral actions that damage American workers.

The focus should now be on multilateral solutions that are being developed by the OECD at a global level, but as always, we strongly caution against tariff remedies.

I thank you again and encourage you to continue this process. Should you have any questions or comments please contact Andreas Hellmann at ahellmann@atr.org

Civil asset forfeiture reform is overdue in many states. Currently, 19 states require a criminal conviction for forfeiture, 16 require a criminal conviction to forfeit property in civil court, and 3 have abolished forfeiture. That is tremendous progress, but leaves plenty of work to be done.

Arizona is one state that still allows authorities to take property from innocent parties, and the process to attempt to get that property back is complex, and the window to act is short.

Arizona lawmakers had a chance to fix this with Senate Bill 1556, which ATR strongly supported. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Eddie Farnsworth (R–Gilbert), would have required that a person be convicted of a crime before law enforcement can attempt forfeiture, with some reasonable exceptions, like if a defendant fled the state. Another change the bill would have made is that the state would no longer be able to seize the property of people who didn’t know their assets were used in the commission of a crime. In a system where people are presumed innocent until proven guilty, these changes are reasonable and long overdue.

Despite passing the Senate unanimously earlier in the year, the House recently rejected the bill. Incredibly, it was unanimous Democratic opposition that killed the legislation.

Why would Democrats vote to give police the power to take innocent peoples’ property? According to the Arizona Capitol Times, Rep. Kirsten Engel (D-Tucson) admitted that the status quo leads to abuses by law enforcement, but “she could not support such a change without also finding a way to ensure that counties have the money they need.”

Basically, Democrats said that even though the system tramples on individual rights it should remain in place because it generates money for the government. In other words, they think the state should be allowed to steal from people because they budgeted around it.

Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich falsely claimed the bill would have prevented prosecutors from putting a lien on a suspected criminal’s property. Basically, their argument was the bill would have allowed criminals to liquidate their assets before they are officially convicted of a crime, thus preventing the state from being able to seize property until it is too late. However, as Sen. Farnsworth noted, this is simply untrue. His bill would have allowed prosecutors to place liens on property, but they would have to show said property is evidence in a pending case—in other words, prosecutors would not be permitted to target assets unrelated to the crime in question.

A study by the Institute for Justice found that most forfeitures in Arizona involve small sums of money—56 percent were for less than $1,000, and only 20 percent of defendants contesting forfeiture had attorneys. This means that the system is mostly used to target individuals, not large drug cartels or big-time criminals as forfeiture’s defenders claim.

The study also found that although the government almost always wins forfeiture cases, less than half of forfeitures are tied to a criminal conviction. Moreover, despite claims to the contrary, forfeiture is almost never used to compensate victims of crimes. In 2018, victims were compensated in four of the 1,469 forfeiture cases statewide, meaning this happens less than .3 percent of the time.

Despite all this, and the reality that minority communities are often the target of asset forfeitures, Democrats said no, no due process, no right to your property, no innocent until proven guilty. If we need the money, injustice is fine.

Especially in light of recent events, there is no excuse not to pass this reform next session.